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After the conclusion of the Champions Trophy 2025, cricket buffs will get to witness T20 action for the next two months as IPL will be back with its 2025 season. IPL 2025’s opening game between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is only 18 days away and noting this fact, let’s revisit some intriguing IPL records related to number 18.
5. Rajasthan Royals recorded their lowest total on April 18, 2009
Rajasthan Royals (RR) registered their lowest score on April 18, 2009. Against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Cape Town, the Pink Army got bundled out on 58 while chasing 134. Anil Kumble grabbed 5/5 in his 3.1 overs and donned the role of wrecker-in-chief.
4. Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul stitched only unbroken opening IPL stand on May 18, 2022
Serving Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) together, Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul built an unbeaten partnership of 210 for the opening wicket against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Navi Mumbai on May 18, 2022. Lucknow won the game by a close margin of two runs and de Kock, who struck an unbeaten 140 off 70, won the player of the match (POTM) award.
3. Virat Kohli's colossal achievement while donning jersey number 18
Star India batter Virat Kohli, who dons jersey number 18, has achieved immense success in the T20 league. Back in 2016, Kohli became the batter with the most numbers of runs in a single IPL edition. The right-handed batter smashed 973 runs with four hundreds and seven fifties in his 16 outings.
2. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) clinched their biggest victory (by runs) on April 18, 2008
Back in 2008, IPL’s maiden game was played between KKR and RCB at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and the former claimed a 140-run win. With the success, Kolkata bagged their biggest victory (by runs) of the league.
1. IPL began on April 18, 2008
On April 18, 2008, IPL’s inaugural contest between KKR and RCB was played in Bengaluru. Winning the toss, Bengaluru captain Rahul Dravid elected to field first and his decision backfired as Brendon McCullum came heavily on the bowlers and scored the first hundred of the league. McCullum walked back to the pavilion with his unbeaten score of 158 off 73. As discussed above, KKR clinched a convincing win, McCullum got the player of the match award for his batting brilliance.
