IPL 2022: BCCI Should Always Invite Brendon McCullum For IPL's Opening And Closing Ceremonies - Sunil Gavaskar

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar insisted that whether or not Brendon McCullum is part of the IPL, he should always make an appearance at the opening and closing ceremonies.

Gavaskar made the statement on the 14th anniversary of the IPL, asserting that McCullum was one of the reasons why the IPL grew as much and attracted audiences from all over the world.

On April 18, 2008, in the first match of the IPL between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), McCullum had smashed 158* off just 73 balls with 10 fours and 13 sixes.

“He was the man who gave IPL a vertical start” – Sunil Gavaskar

The league ended up getting a kickstart on the back of his knock and it continued to rise and rise, before eventually becoming the highly-successful product it is today. Therefore, it only makes more sense to have the person, responsible for giving the IPL a headstart, present for all the ceremonies.

“It would have been fitting if KKR won the match today because of one man – Brendon McCullum. Because 15 years ago, he was the man who gave IPL a vertical start. So whether or not he is a part of the coaching staff in the future, BCCI should always invite him for IPL’s opening and closing ceremonies,” Gavaskar told.

McCullum is currently the head coach of the KKR franchise which lies in 6th place on the points table having won 3 matches out of 7 in the ongoing IPL 2022 season.

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