The first season of the IPL was held in 2008, with eight teams competing for the title. The Indian supporters were in for a treat because it was the first time they had seen cricketing legends from all around the world on one stage. Rajasthan Royals have crowned the first-ever champions of the league, which is today the wealthiest and most popular cricket league in the world.
The Rajasthan Royals, who won the first season, are still a difficult team to beat. Jos Buttler, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sanju Samson, and Trent Boult are among their top players. This season, they are projected to be a tough competitor as well.
- Mohammad Kaif
Mohammad Kaif had a dismal 2008 season, scoring only 176 runs in 16 games. In 2012, he finished his IPL career. Finally, following his retirement in July 2018, he pursued other interests in cricket, primarily commentary and coaching.
- Kamran Akmal
In the first season of the IPL, Kamran Akmal only appeared in six games. In the six games, he scored 128 runs. This was also the final IPL encounter for right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman Shahid Afridi, who would not be able to play in the league again due to Pakistani players’ exclusion from future seasons. He continues to play for Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League.
- Niraj Patel
In 1999, he was picked for the U-19 World Cup. Patel batted in only four of the seven games for RR, but he had an outstanding average of 66.5. However, he was unable to regain his rhythm after that. Niraj Patel’s career at the greatest level was cut short, and he last played in the IPL in 2009 against the Kolkata Knight Riders. After that, he continued to play domestic cricket for Gujarat and Assam.
- Swapnil Asnodkar
Swapnil Asnodkar was an example of a career that went unfulfilled. The right-handed Goa batsman was unable to get an international call-up and appeared in only 20 IPL matches, making 423 runs at a lowly 21.15 average. He represented Goa in first-class cricket until 2018, scoring 5883 runs in 157 innings. He was appointed as the coach of the Goa under 23 cricket team in 2019.
- Shane Watson
In 2008, the famous all-rounder was the Royals’ campaign hero. His 472 runs and 17 wickets in 15 matches were sufficient to warrant his IPL Player of the Tournament award and demonstrate his form at the moment. In 2016, he announced his retirement from international cricket, making him the final player from Australia’s great era of the early 2000s. His concentration turned to the worldwide T20 competitions after he retired from international cricket in 2016. In 2020, played his final IPL season for Chennai.
- Yusuf Pathan
Rajasthan Royals won the 2008 final because of Yusuf Pathan’s all-round effort. His 4-0-22-3 and 56 of 39 balls demonstrated his class and ability to handle pressure. He was released by the Sunrisers Hyderabad before the 2020 IPL auction after poor performances and a decline in form in the 2019 season. He and his brother, Irfan Pathan, have started a cricket academy.
- Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja is the only member of the RR’s final team from 2008 who continues to play international cricket. Jadeja was a key member of the Royals’ squad until 2011. He joined CSK in 2012. He is currently the captain of the Chennai Super Kings and an important member of the Indian national team.
- Sohail Tanvir
No one will ever forget the single stolen by Sohail Tanvir on the final delivery of the 2008 IPL season. Rajasthan Royals were named winners of the season thanks to that single. Due to the ban of Pakistani players in the competition, he was never able to play again in the IPL. He did, however, play his last international match in 2015 and is currently a member of the PSL’s Quetta Gladiators.
- Siddharth Trivedi
Siddharth Trivedi was a backup bowler for the team during that season, getting 13 wickets in 15 games. He played for the same team until 2013 when he was suspended for a year after being found guilty of failing to report being approached by bookies. However, he returned to cricket in 2014 and played for Saurashtra until 2015.
- Shane Warne
Shane Warne led the 2008 RR team as captain. He got 19 wickets in the 15 matches he played that season and led the team till 2011. Warne died on March 4, 2022, at the age of 52. Prior to his death, he worked as a coach and commentator.
- Munaf Patel
Munaf Patel grabbed 14 wickets in 15 matches during the first IPL season. He was also a member of the Indian side that won the ICC World Cup in 2011. He has represented India in each of the three formats. However, he last played an international match in 2011. He was signed by Gujarat Lions for the 2017 IPL season and played only two games. Due to fitness difficulties, he finally retired from all forms of cricket in November 2018.
