Indian Premier League is a dynamic event. The auctions play an important role in this. It is because of the bidding event that every edition feels fresh and exciting. In the process, we also witness numerous players switching franchises frequently. Here, we take a look at six players who have played for more than five IPL teams.
The margin for failure is very thin in IPL. Every season, franchises would want impact cricketers who can get them close to the trophy. With a mega-auction coming into the picture every three years, there is hardly any long-term incentive while backing a player for any team. This is the main reason why we have so many players who have played for more than five IPL teams.
1. Aaron Finch – 8
Teams that Finch has been part of – RR, DD, PWI, SRH, MI, GL, KXIP, RCB
Aaron Finch has represented the maximum franchises in the competition. Although he is the skipper of his national squad and a top limited-overs batsman, it is surprising that he has not enjoyed a good record in the IPL.
At the moment, KKR and CSK are the only two teams left in the tournament that are yet to make use of Finch’s skills. Nevertheless, with the mega-auction set to happen in 2022, we could see this number increase to nine.
2. Dinesh Karthik – 6
Teams that Karthik has been part of – DD, KXIP, MI, RCB, GL, KKR
One of the best T20 finishers of Indian Cricket, Dinesh Karthik is also a part of this list of players who have played for more than five IPL teams. While Delhi and Mumbai are where he had the best of his IPL career, DK currently represents KKR.
Inconsistency is the reason behind this occurring. He was never retained by any franchise and hence, had to make the shift very often.
3. Parthiv Patel – 6
Teams that Parthiv has been part of – CSK, KTK, DC, SRH, MI, RCB
Parthiv Patel has never been considered as an option in the T20 format. In most of the squads, he was selected as the backup keeper option or was picked when there was no other option at the auctions.
Nevertheless, he has done well whenever he got his chance. Be it at CSK, MI or RCB, the Gujarat cricketer has a few decent performances to his name.
4. Yuvraj Singh – 6
Teams that Yuvraj has been part of – KXIP, PWI, DD, RCB, SRH, MI
Yuvraj Singh is one of the best T20 players that India has produced. Yet, he does not enjoy a good record in IPL, India’s premier T20 tournament. Hence, he features in this list.
Although teams tried to build their squads around him at the start, Yuvi could never show consistency in IPL. Hence, he was released often, at times also due to his high price, and was picked by different teams.
5. Ishant Sharma – 6
Teams that Ishant has been part of – KKR, DC, SRH, KXIP, RPS, KXIP, DD
Ishant Sharma has also made the journey across multiple franchises in IPL. Frequent injuries and indifferent bowling in T20’s did not allow Ishant to become a successful IPL cricketer like Bhuvneshwar Kumar or Jasprit Bumrah.
Nevertheless, after he came to his home-franchise Delhi Capitals, Ishant has been doing well. He still has a long way to go in IPL.
6. Thisara Perera – 6
Teams that Perera has been part of – CSK, KTK, MI, SRH, KXIP, RPS
Thisara Perera is one of the six players who have played for more than five IPL teams. Despite his reputation as a specialist T20 cricketer, the Sri Lankan player has not been able to make an impact in IPL.
In Perera’s case, it has mostly been inconsistency and lack of game time. Franchises have often utilized him as an option on the bench, and therefore, Perera could never make it big.
