Credit: IPL
The Indian Premier League’s (IPL) 18th season concluded with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) winning the title under Rajat Patidar’s captaincy. Back in 2008, when the league was started, several players from different parts of the world marked their presence to play the distinguished T20 tournament and help their teams achieve the illustrious trophy. Players such as Shane Watson, Younis Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, and Morne Morkel succeeded in the maiden season while eminent names Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers couldn’t fulfill their dream of holding the trophy after playing in the cash-rich league for a long period.
However, this year, an intriguing fact has emerged as the Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani became the champion with RCB without playing any match in the competition. He has also registered the record of becoming the first Zimbabwean to win the IPL trophy. Noting this interesting fact, SportsTiger has come up with the list of first players from each nation who got their hands on the IPL trophy.
11. Blessing Muzarabani - Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani has become the first player from his country to win the IPL trophy. In the final stage of the competition, he filled the boots of South Africa’s speedster Lungi Ngidi, who left the RCB camp to prepare for his national side’s World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final game against Australia at the iconic Lord’s.
10. Ryan ten Doeschate - Netherlands
Former Netherlands all-rounder lifted the trophy with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2012 and became the first IPL winner from his nation. In KKR’s title win, his contribution was 21 runs and one wicket in three outings.
9. Rashid Khan - Afghanistan
In 2022, when Gujarat Titans (GT) won the title in their maiden season, Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan played a vital role with the ball. He bagged 19 wickets in 16 matches at a thrifty economy of 6.59. His success with Titans helped him break into the record books as the first Afghan player to become an IPL champion.
8. Shakib Al Hasan - Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan played a crucial role in KKR’s title win in IPL 2012. Appearing in eight matches, he got 12 wickets at a frugal economy of 6.50. In the final against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, he racked up 1/25 figures and unbeaten 11 off seven. He, along with Mustafizur Rahman, is the only Bangladeshi to win an IPL trophy.
7. West Indies - Dwayne Smith
In 2009, Deccan Chargers became the second IPL champion under Australia legend Adam Gilchrist’s sensational captaincy. With Chargers’ success, West Indies’ Dwayne Smith became the first IPL champion from the Caribbean team. Talking about his numbers he scored 215 runs in eight contests.
6. Scott Styris - New Zealand
New Zealand’s Scott Styris was also a part of Deccan Chargers in 2009 and he registered the feat of becoming the first Kiwi champion with his stint with the Hyderabad-based franchise in the season. Discussing his contribution to the team, he notched up five wickets and 14 runs in two games.
5. Eoin Morgan - England
England’s former captain Eoin Morgan was a part of KKR camp in 2012. However, he didn’t get any matches to play in the competition.
4. Sohail Tanvir - Pakistan
Pakistan's Sohail Tanvir, who served RR in the maiden IPL season, became the first Purple Cap winner in 2008. In RR’s title success, his contribution was 22 wickets in 11 matches at an economy of 6.46.
3. Graeme Smith - South Africa
Graeme Smith was also a member of RR in IPL 2008. He chipped in with 441 runs with three fifties in 11 matches at a strike rate of 121.82.
2. Australia - Shane Warne
Australia’s Shane Warne led RR from the front to make the Pink Army the first IPL champions in 2008. The spinner clinched 19 wickets in 15 matches at an economy of 7.76.
1. Yusuf Pathan - India
Cricket World Cup 2011 champion Yusuf Pathan did his job efficiently to help RR pull off the trophy in 2008. He smashed 435 runs in 16 games at a magnificent strike rate of 179.01.
