Indian Premium League is one of the top class T20 leagues and one of the best platforms for players to showcase their talent and skills. Every player wants to play IPL, and most of the young stars know that this is the stage where they can do better and get the opportunity to play for the national team at the international level.
IPL debut is always special for any player, and usually, during the auction, players get a contract, and that contract works as a ticket to join the IPL squad of the franchise. Playing the debut match in IPL is definitely a big achievement, but many players feel nervous as they will face international top players. The hype of IPL is too much, and fans are just amazing.
There is an ultimate pressure of price tag and performance in front of fans and good opposition. However, in the history of IPL, many batters fearlessly played exceptional innings in their debut match.
Today, in this article, we will discuss the top five highest scores by batters on their IPL debut.
List of highest scores done by batsmen on IPL debut
1.Brendon McCullum
The former New Zealand captain was also known as one of the most explosive batsmen. Brendon McCullum played a sensational knock in the IPL opener. In the inauguration match of 2008, IPL Brendon thrashed Royal Challengers Bangalore bowlers all around the ground. Opening the innings of KKR, he played too aggressively and scored 158 runs from just 73 balls. His brutal batting with 10 fours and 13 sixes makes RCB hopeless, and KKR won the match easily.
2.Michael Hussey
Australian cricketer Michael Hussy, who is also known as MR. CRICKET debut his IPL career with the Chennai Super Kings squad. Hussy smacked a wonderful hundred in his debut match. He came to bat at number three for Chennai Super Kings and played very aggressively. He played attacking cricket and batted at an impressive strike rate of 214.81.
In this innings, Hussy smashed all bowlers all around the ground. He took just 54 balls to score 116 runs in which he smashed eight fours and nice big sixes. He remained not out in that match, and CSK was posted a huge 240 runs on the scoreboard. Hussy also won the match of the match in this match on his IPL debut.
3.Shaun Marsh
Australian left-hand batsman Shaun Marsh is known for his attacking cricket. He was the first to win an IPL Orange Cap as an uncapped player. At the beginning of IPL, Shaun was not a well-known face in the cricket mainstream, but Punjab Kings included Shaun in their squad and allow him to play in IPL and showcase his talent.
He was debuted against Decca Chargers in Hyderabad. Shaun smashed 84 runs in just 62 balls, hit 11 fours and one six, and remained unbeaten until the end guided Punjab Kings toward victory.
4.Graeme Smith
South African former captain left-hander Graeme Smit also has the highest scores by a batter on IPL debut. Graeme is an excellent opening batsman who played for Rajasthan Royals and Pune Warriors in his IPL career. Rajasthan Royals is the first franchise to sign Smith in IPL. He debuted against Deccan Chargers.
In his debut match, Rajasthan was chasing a huge total of 215 against Deccan. Smith scored a quick 71 runs only from 45 runs which helps Rajasthan Royals to bagged a big win.
5.James Hopes
Former Australian all-rounder James Hopes is known for his explosive batting talent. This Aussie player got the chance to open the innings versus mighty Chennai Super Kings in the first IPL season in 2008, where his team had to chase a huge total of 240 runs. Hopes gave a strong start to Punjab with a 33 ball 71 runs in which he smashed ten fours and three impressive sixes. Unfortunately, Punjab failed to chase that day, but James performed exceptionally as a batter and impressed many fans.
