IPL aka Indian Premier League is one of the most celebrated cricket tournaments in the T20 format in all over the world. Therefore it isn’t surprising that the players simultaneously achieved a lot of fame and success with this league. In fact, the significance of this tournament is increasing day by day since many top players from around the world have participated here for various teams over the last 17 years. The one thing that is common for this tournament is the inconsistency of a particular player in a particular team so if you like a player in a certain franchise they might not appear there next season.
On the contrary, there were also some legendary players who never got released by a franchise as they are so good that losing them can prove quite pricey. Here are the names of 5 celebrated players who never get released from their franchise.
The 5 never released IPL players
Virat Kohli-Royal Challengers Bengaluru
The leading run-getter of this franchise, Virat Kohli, was acquired by Royal Challengers Bengaluru aka RCB for $30,000 in IPL 2008. Ever since the first season this talented batsman has been associated with them in the popular league. In fact, Kohli is also the only cricketer to have participated in all 17 IPL seasons and played for the same team ever since. Kohli also won the Orange Cap due to becoming the highest run-getter in the tournament’s history. Like the previous times in IPL 2024, the cricketer was retained by the Bengaluru-based franchise ahead of the mega auctions.
MS Dhoni-Chennai Super Kings
Signed for Rs 6 crore by CSK in IPL 2008 mega auctions, MS Dhoni created phenomenal records as the skipper of the tram.
He is the only cricketer to have participated in 15 seasons of IPL and was never released by the Chennai-based franchise. In 2016-2017 He played for the Rising Pune SuperGiants during the ban on CSK from the tournament. Under his captaincy, CSK has won five IPL titles making it one of the most successful teams in the league.
Sunil Narine- Kolkata Knight Riders
The greatest all-rounder in the tournament’s history, Narine was signed by KKR in the IPL 2012 auction, after which he never got released from the team. The spin bowling all-rounder of the reigning champion is the only player in IPL history to win the Most Valuable Player award three times.
Rishabh Pant-Delhi Capitals
The current skipper of the franchise debuted in 2016 and was retained ahead of IPL 2018 and 2022 mega auctions. The 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batter was first appointed as the captain in 2021.
Sachin Tendulkar-Mumbai Indians
The God of Cricket first joined MI as an icon player ahead of the IPL 2008 mega auctions and played for them until 2013. Finishing his career with 2334 runs in 78 matches, Tendulkar was the first Indian to win the prestigious Orange Cap in the league.
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