Switching loyalties – Players to have represented most IPL teams
Ever since its inception, the Indian Premier League has paved its way to becoming the premier domestic competition across the globe. Indian as well as overseas stars look forward to plying their trade in the IPL, considering the level of competition it offers.
The cash-rich league also has an auction system where the fate of a player gets decided in minutes, it is all about uncertainty. Many cricketers have ended up playing for multiple teams after being snapped up by various IPL owners. Here are the players who have played for several franchises since the inception of the IPL:
6. Thisara Perera (6 teams)
Thisara Perera was also a part of Chennai Super Kings in the inaugural season. However, after the first IPL edition, the Sri Lanka all-rounder went on to represent Kochi Tuskers Kerala. He was then picked up by Mumbai Indians in 2012 auction.
Perera played only two matches for Mumbai Indians and eventually was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the next edition. He again shifted his side in one year, with Kings XI Punjab emerging as his new franchise. In the 2016 edition, Rising Pune Supergiant splurged Rs 1 crore and snapped up Perera. The Pune franchise became the sixth IPLside to have him in their squad.
5. Ishant Sharma (6 teams)
India veteran Ishant Sharma burst out on the international scene at a young age. His IPL journey has also been colourful as the lanky pacer has so far represented six sides.
Ishant started his IPL career with Kolkata Knight Riders before being bought by Deccan Chargers for the 2011-12 edition. After DC’s exit from the tournament, Ishant plied his trade for Sunrisers Hyderabad until he was bought by Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016.
After the Pune franchise, Ishant’s IPL journey turned towards Kings XI Punjab. He represented KXIP in the 2017 edition. After going unsold in the 2018 IPL, Ishant was snapped up by Delhi Capitals for a sum of Rs 1.1 crore. He will be donning the DC jersey in the upcoming IPL season.
4. Parthiv Patel (6 teams)
After starting his IPL journey with Chennai Super Kings, Parthiv Patel has plied his trade for several franchises. After playing for CSK in the first three seasons, he was signed by Kochi Tuskers Kerala. However, after the termination of the franchise, Parthiv was signed by Deccan Chargers during the IPL 2012 trading window.
The transfer saga didn’t stop there as Parthiv was picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2013 and by Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2014. In the 2015 edition, Parthiv was again signed by Mumbai Indians. After three editions, he was bought by Virat Kohli-led RCB in the 2018 IPL auction. Parthiv has been a part of the Bangalore franchise since then.
3. Dinesh Karthik (6 teams)
Leading Kolkata Knight Riders completely changed the fortunes of Dinesh Karthik. However, he had to represent many franchises before settling for KKR.
Karthik was a part of Delhi Daredevils until he was bought by Kings XI Punjab in 2011 for USD 9,00,000. He shifted his base again after being snapped up by Mumbai Indians for IPL 2012.
After a couple of years, Delhi bought Karthik back for INR 10.5 crores before RCB stepped up and spent INR 12.5 crores in 2015. In 2016, he was a part of Gujarat Lions, representing the fourth team in four years. After his stint with Gujarat Lions, the wicketkeeper-batsman was finally snapped by Kolkata Knight Riders. He eventually was made the skipper of the franchise.
2. Yuvraj Singh (6 teams)
India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh also has donned several jerseys in the IPL. He has played for as many as six teams in the history of the IPL.
His journey started with Kings XI Punjab in 2008 where he played for three seasons before Pune Warriors India bought him in 2011. His path took a turn towards Royal Challengers Bangalore as he was bought for a staggering 14 crore in 2014. In the next year, Delhi also splurged cash and snapped Yuvraj at a hefty sum of Rs 16 crore.
In the 2016 auction, the southpaw found a new home as he was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 7 crore. He eventually returned to Kings XI Punjab as they bought him for Rs 2 crore in 2018 IPL auction. But it wasn’t the end as he was picked up by Mumbai Indians for his base price of Rs 1 crore in IPL 2019 auction.
1. Aaron Finch (7 teams)
Australia stalwart Aaron Finch stands at the top of this list, having been acquired by seven IPL teams so far. Finch was first selected by Rajasthan Royals in 2010 before he made his way to Delhi Daredevils in the next two seasons.
In 2013, Pune Warriors India picked him up only to see him go to Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014. In 2015, Finch again changed his route and it was Mumbai Indians who snapped the Australian this time. It didn’t stop there as Finch paved his way to Gujarat Lions in the next season.
After playing for the Gujarat franchise for two seasons, Finch was bought by Kings XI Punjab in the IPL 2018 auction. However, he was released at the end of the season. After staying away from the IPL 2019 edition due to the World Cup, Finch was snapped up by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2020 auction. RCB will be Finch’s seventh IPL side when he braces the field for them in the UAE.
