Royal Challengers Bangalore is known for the infamous record of releasing players who later go on to do well for other teams. A few have also gone on to win the Indian Premier League, a feat that RCB is yet to achieve. The latest IPL winning team, too, has a few former RCB cricketers. In this article, we take a look at four players from the IPL 2021 CSK team who previously played for RCB.
1) Robin Uthappa (IPL 2009 – 2010)
Robin Uthappa is one of the players from the IPL 2021 CSK team who previously played for RCB. While in the first edition, Robin played for Mumbai Indians, RCB traded him for the next two campaigns. Across 31 games for his home franchise, Uthappa made a total of 549 runs. Ahead of IPL 2021, CSK traded Uthappa from Rajasthan Royals. He got a chance only in the back end but in both Qualifier 1 and in the finals, the Karnataka lad a telling contribution.
2) Cheteshwar Pujara (IPL 2011-2013)
Cheteshwar Pujara has played only 29 encounters, out of which, 13 of them have been for RCB. After the franchise released Rahul Dravid before IPL 2011, Pujara was hired to replace the legend. Pujara did get a fifty for the franchise but he batted at a strike rate below 100. At the IPL 2021 auctions, CSK made the move for India’s No.3 in Tests. The Saurashtra cricketer did not get a game but he has now won the IPL.
3) Karn Sharma (IPL 2009)
Not many are aware but Karn Sharma was once part of the RCB unit. In fact, the Railways leg-spinner also played one game for the franchise. Since then, Karn has moved to franchises like Mumbai Indians and he has proved to be a lucky mascot for most of them. For CSK alone, Karn has won two trophies having not contributed much on the field.
4) Moeen Ali (IPL 2018 – 2020)
Moeen Ali made his IPL debut at RCB. He was at the franchise for three years and actually did well in a couple of games. However, there were discussions if RCB was using him well in IPL 2020. Ahead of IPL 2021, RCB released him and CSK made him one of the big-money signings. With 320 runs and six wickets, Moeen has done justice to the role he was given. His power-hitting in the final helped CSK post a good total on the board.
