New Delhi: Virat Kohli, one of the biggest names in world cricket, made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut in the inaugural match of the T20 league back in 2008. The match featured his team, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), taking on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Kohli, in his debut game, managed to score only 1 run before being bowled out by a KKR bowler, who is now a BJP MLA.
The 2008 IPL season wasn’t kind to Kohli, who was just starting out in the league. As a rookie, it took Kohli a few seasons to establish himself as one of the premier players in the IPL. His debut match was a humbling experience, with RCB setting a target of 223, but Kohli only managed a single run before being dismissed by Ashok Dinda, the bowler who went on to achieve national and international recognition.
Ashok Dinda: The Bowler Who Dismissed Kohli
It was Ashok Dinda, the right-arm pacer, who dismissed Kohli on his IPL debut. Dinda’s figures that day were exceptional: 3 overs, 9 runs, and 2 wickets, including Kohli and Wasim Jaffer, who also fell cheaply. Dinda’s performance was a key part of KKR’s dominant victory over RCB, with KKR winning by 140 runs after dismissing RCB for just 82 runs.
Dinda’s Journey Post-IPL: From Cricketer to Politician
After his successful stint in the IPL, Dinda went on to represent India in international cricket, making his T20I debut in December 2009 and his ODI debut in May 2010. Though he was part of India’s Test squad, Dinda never played in red-ball cricket for the national team. He retired from professional cricket in early 2021 and soon ventured into politics, joining the BJP. Dinda contested the 2021 West Bengal elections and emerged victorious from the Moyna seat.
Kohli’s Incredible IPL Journey with RCB
Since that debut, Kohli’s IPL career has been nothing short of extraordinary. He became the first player in IPL history to represent the same team (RCB) in every season. Over the years, Kohli has steadily risen to become the highest run-scorer in IPL history, amassing 8004 runs in the tournament. His breakthrough season came in 2010 when he first breached the 300-run mark. He followed it up with a stellar 557 runs in 2011 and a career-best 634 runs in 2013.
Record-Breaking IPL 2016 Season
One of Kohli’s most memorable seasons came in 2016, where he etched his name in the history books by scoring a phenomenal 973 runs in the tournament. This achievement solidified his status as one of the best players to have ever graced the IPL.
Unfinished Dream: The Elusive IPL Trophy
Despite all of his individual successes, the IPL trophy has continued to elude Virat Kohli. He has yet to win the coveted title, a dream that he and his RCB teammates continue to chase.
Kohli’s IPL journey, from a humble debut to becoming the highest run-scorer in IPL history, has been remarkable. He remains one of the most important figures in the tournament and one of the most consistent performers over the years.
About The Author
