The victory in the ICC World T20 2007 was just the impetus that the IPL needed. The cricketing world took note of the happenings with a mixture of curiosity, surprise, and shock, as the weeks passed. In cricketing terms everything about the league was novel, be it the concept of an inter-city franchise tournament or the prospect of the top cricketers on the planet going under the hammer. The inaugural players’ auction in February 2008 was followed by a spectacular start to the league itself, on 18 April 2008. Kolkata Knight Riders beat Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first game, thanks to an electrifying 158 by Brendon McCullum, a New Zealander.