Trend to field first in IPL opening game continues

Kolkata, April 3 (IANS) As the sixth season of the IPL dawned at the Eden Gardens here Wednesday, Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir after winning the toss, chose to field against Delhi Daredevils – continuing the tradition of teams electing to bowl first in the opening game. Only Chennai Super Kings had broken the tradition by opting to bat first in 2011.

Ever since the cricket extravaganza began in 2008, all the captains except for CSK’s M.S. Dhoni have elected to field after winning the toss. In 2011, after batting first CSK had won the match against KKR.

The match Tuesday witnessed a first ball dismissal when Delhi’s Unmukt Chand was castled by Brett Lee. This is only the second time when a wicket has fallen on the first ball in an opening game. KKR’s Manoj Tiwary was the first batsman in the IPL to get out on the first ball of the opening match when he was dismissed by Chaminda Vaas while playing against Deccan Chargers in 2010.

Meanwhile the hallowed Eden roared in its full might as the stadium witnessed a near full house. And not surprisingly most of them cheered for the home team KKR.

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