CPL 2016: 5 IPL rivals who will be playing for the same CPL team

With the expansion of cricket, through domestic T20 leagues around the world, players of different nations have now become good friends, players of the same nation have turned rivals and plenty of interesting pairings have been thrown up. In the earlier days, cricketers played primarily with players from their own country, representing their national side or representing their state. Not too often, would you see players from different teams, playing with each other for another setup.

Read: Full schedule of CPL 2016

However, nowadays, in virtually every T20 league around the world, there are international teammates who are pitted against each other, and players from different countries, working together for the same franchise. When the Rising Pune Supergiants play the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, India’s limited over captain MS Dhoni will use his expertise and knowledge of India’s Test captain Virat Kohli’s game to knock over his stumps and vice versa. It’s added a fascinating dimension to the game, as players try to guess, and outwit their compatriots.

This has led to a number of interesting clashes and battles on the field, this year Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir, were seen getting in a scuffle as they represent different teams in the IPL. A number of IPL stars will be seen in action in the CPL, and cricket fans will be treated to another spectacle for over a month.

Here, we look at 5 sets of players who are rivals in the IPL, but will line up for the same team here, a mere month after the conclusion of the IPL.

1) AB de Villiers (RCB) and Kieron Pollard (MI) – Barbados Tridents

AB de Villiers and Kieron Pollard recently competed against each other in the tri-series

The mere sight of ‘Mr. 360’ AB de Villiers and Kieron Pollard in one batting order is enough to send shivers down the back of any opponent. While AB plies his trade with the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, Kieron Pollard has donned the Mumbai Indians colours for a number of years now. Normally, these two would be trying to outwit each other, with Pollard trying to knock AB’s wicket over, and AB trying to nab Pollard in the field. Both these players amass runs at a quick rate, and quite often, it is their innings that makes the difference between their side winning or losing a game.

Add this to the fact that these two players are exceptional fielders, make them a very potent duo for the Barbados Tridents. Surely, IPL fans would love to see the duo represent the same franchise at some point in the IPL as well. With AB and Pollard in the same batting line up, no score would be out of reach for the Barbados Tridents and their opponents can rest at no time in the game.

Player	Matches	Runs	Strike rate	League position
AB de Villiers	16	687	168.79	2nd
Kieron Pollard	13	207	143.75	5th

2) Chris Gayle (RCB) and Andre Russell (KKR) – Jamaica Tallawahs

Andre Russell will have to share the burden with Chris Gayle for Jamaica Tallawahs

The West Indian duo of Chris Gayle and Andre Russell ply their trade for the Jamaica Tallawahs. Gayle, a talisman for the RCB, and Russell, the main match-winner in the Kolkata Knight Riders squad that has been so successful over the years. Arguably, these two players might be the biggest match winners in T20 cricket. At the top of the order, Gayle is a one-man demolition force, taking his opponents’ bowling attacks to shreds. Andre Russell, comes to bat in the middle order and causes absolute havoc, quite often changing the very complexion of the game. Both these players have the ability to clear the boundary with a mishit.

With the ball, Andre Russell has seen his stock rise recently. He generally opens the bowling for the KKR, and comes back at the death to finish his quota of 4 overs. Chris Gayle, on the other hand, is a wily operator who has the ability to pick up wicekts at a crucial stage, but also stem the flow of runs. Being local boys, from Jamaica, provides added incentive to the duo to lift their side towards the CPL trophy.

Player	Matches	Runs	Strike rate	Wickets	League position
Chris Gayle	10	227	151.33	2	2nd
Andre Russell	12	188	164.91	15	4th

3) Sunil Narine (KKR) and Brendon McCullum (GJ) – Trinbago Knight Riders

Once teammates, Narine and McCullum, will be reunited at Trinbago Knight Riders

Sunil Narine enters the CPL on the back of a very successful tri-series. His new bowling action, not proving to be a detterant as he has kept up his domination in the limited overs format of the game. He has been around for a few years now, but batsmen are yet to figure out his variations and he can be relied upon to bowl a few tidy overs. Brendon McCullum, on the other hand, brings a number of things to the table. His explosive batting, incredible fielding and leadership abilities.

Sunil Narine has been a vital cog in the KKR setup over the years, leading the bowling attack as KKR have gone on to win two IPLs. On the other hand, McCullum just enjoyed his first season with debutants Gujarat Lions. It was nearly a successful season for him, as his team finished on top of the points table during the league stage. Both these players should compliment each other, one with the bat, the other with the ball, and provide the Trinbago Knight Riders with an advantage in both areas of the game.

Player	Matches	Runs	Strike rate	Wickets	Economy	League position
Sunil Narine	11	7	53.84	11	7.09	4th
Brendon McCullum	16	354	135.11	-	-	1st

4) David Miller (KXIP) and Shane Watson (RCB) – St Lucia Zouks Squad

David Miller and Shane Watson have faced off against each other in the past

David Miller has been Kings XI Punjab’s talisman for a number of years, captaining the squad in the early part of this year’s IPL. While it was a largely forgettable season for him and the team, he has proven over the years to be a match-winner extraordinaire, quite often single-handedly leading the KXIP side to victory. Shane Watson, was the IPL’s most expensive signing in this year’s auction, remains to be one of the best all rounders in the game even after his retirement. Having enjoyed one of his best seasons with the ball for the RCB, Shane Watson will be called upon to pick up wickets at a crucial stage.

For the St Lucia Zouks, the South African and Australian will be heavily relied upon to bring a sense of calm to the team. Both, highly experienced, will look to attack their opponents when they come in to bat and inspire the Darren Sammy led team to victory.

Player	Matches	Runs	Strike rate	Wickets	Economy	League position
David Miller	14	161	122.9	-	-	8th
Shane Watson	16	179	133.58	16	8.58	2nd

5) Faf du Plessis (RPSG) and Carlos Brathwaite (DD) – St Kitts and Nevis Patriors Squad

Faf du Plessis and Carlos Brathwaite

South African Faf du Plessis is a master technican, representing the Rising Pune Supergiants in the IPL. Whereas, Carlos Brathwaite was on of the most expensive signings in this year’s auction and plays for the Delhi Daredevils. Faf du Plessis can be relied to be put runs on the board, irrespective of where he comes into bat in the batting order. Carlos Brathwaite is a livewire with both the bat and ball, and can single-handedly lift his side to victory.

Faf will be captaining the squad and will hope that he can rely on Brathwaite to pull a rabbit out of the hat – much like he did in the World T20 final.

Player	Matches	Runs	Strike rate	Wickets	Economy	League position
Faf du Plessis	6	206	127.16	11	7.09	7th
Carlos Brathwaite	8	83	218.42	7	8.15	6th