The first over of an innings is when a batsman would be most vulnerable. However, in the shortest format of the game, we have seen players going after the bowlers right from the word go. It is also a strategy to gain quick momentum in the match. Therefore, till now, there have been plenty of expensive first over of an innings in the T20 format.
In the Indian Premier League, too, on multiple occasions, there have been expensive first overs. This has inevitably helped the batting side take a stronghold of the encounter. On that note, in this article, we take a look at the four most expensive first over of an innings in IPL.
4) 23 – Virat Kohli-AB de Villiers v Varun Aaron 2019
Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers are one of the most destructive duos in IPL cricket. Although they have been together on the field of plenty of fruitful partnerships, not often have they opened the batting together. In 2019, though, this also occurred.
It was a rain-curtailed match against Rajasthan Royals, and the game had been reduced to five overs for each side. RCB had to bat first, and it was Virat and AB who walked out to bat. Varun Aaron was the bowler, and the Virat-AB duo took to him straight away. While Virat scored two sixes off him, AB creamed two boundaries of Aaron’s bowling. In the end, it was a 23-run over for RCB.
3) 25 – Prithvi Shaw-Shikhar Dhawan v Shivam Mavi 2021
KKR had set a mediocre target, and Delhi Capitals were expected to chase it down comfortably. However, KKR would have thought that if they could take a few early wickets, the match would become tighter. Prithvi Shaw, though, had absolutely other ideas.
The Mumbai batsman’s full range was on display as he struck Shivam Mavi for six boundaries in the first over of the chasing innings. Mavi also bowled a wide, which meant he had conceded 25 runs in his first over. It was outrageous hitting, and Shaw guaranteed a Delhi win in the first over itself.
2) 26 – Yusuf Pathan-Gautam Gambhir v Harbhajan Singh 2013
At No.2 on this list of the most expensive first over of an innings in IPL is the breathtaking start that Yusuf Pathan and Gautam Gambhir provided to KKR in the IPL 2013 encounter against Mumbai Indians. Yusuf is a fearless batsman, and bowling a right-arm off-spinner to him can be suicidal.
Mumbai did just that, and Pathan waited no time in leaving an impact. While the tall all-rounder hit three boundaries and one six, Gambhir also struck a huge hit out of the park. It was a 26-run over to start the innings, but KKR still lost that game.
1) 27 – Chris Gayle-Mayank Agarwal v Abu Nechim 2011
For a few years around 2011 to 2015, Chris Gayle was an untouchable batsman. Everything he touched went out of the ground. And when you pit him against an uncapped bowler in the first over an innings, the effects had to be devastating.
It was the second qualifying final of that season, and RCB were taking on the Mumbai Indians. Chris Gayle and Mayank Agarwal were at the crease, and Abu Nechim was the player who came out to bowl the first over. Hitting three fours and a six, Gayle ensured a strong start to the innings. Nechim did not help himself as he conceded seven extras that over. It was the most expensive first over of an innings in IPL.
