Top 6 one-franchise players in IPL history

Loyalty is something very rare but still special in the sporting world. In the world of club football, being a one-club player earns you a great amount of respect and love from fans around the globe.The Indian Premier League, which is in its eighth season, has not seen many players who have stuck with one team. That said, we can’t really blame the players and question their loyalty, as the working of IPL is different from that of a football league. Moreover, with the auction happening each year, it becomes very difficult for a player to stick with one team.But there are some players who have represented just one team since they started playing IPL. Here are six such players who have stayed with one team and are considered the heart and soul of that team.(Note: Even though you can also call Sachin Tendulkar a one-club player, I have decided to include only those who are still playing and not retired).

#6 Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh, the off-spinner from Jalandhar, has been with the Mumbai outfit since the tournament’s inception. Even though he endured a difficult start to his IPL career, he has become a key figure in the Mumbai Indians line-up.

Harbhajan was the stand-in captain of the depleted Mumbai side in the 2011 edition of CLT20, and it was his inspiring captaincy that helped Mumbai win the trophy. In addition, Harbhajan has always been a big game performer for the Mumbai Indians – he was adjudged man of the match in the finals of both the CLT20 victories in 2011 and 2013. He took two important wickets in the final of the 2013 final which helped Mumbai beat CSK and win the trophy for the first time.

Just like his career with Team India, Harbhajan has had his own controversial moments while playing for Mumbai Indians too. He was banned in the first season for slapping his ex-Indian team mate S Sreesanth. But the best part about him is that he has always fought past the controversies and performed well for both India and for Mumbai Indians.

#5 Virat Kohli

It was a huge surprise for all Delhi fans when the then 19-year-old Virat Kohli wasn’t chosen by Delhi Daredevils but was selected by Royal Challengers Bangalore at the first IPL auction. What was Delhi’s loss turned out to be RCB’s gain.

Kohli has grown from strength to strength as each season has progressed. In 2011, he was the only player retained by RCB. He was named the RCB captain in 2013 and was the third highest run-getter in the 2013 edition of the tournament, scoring 634 runs.

Unfortunately for Kohli he has not yet won any major championship with RCB. But it should not be too long before we finally see the Delhi boy winning a trophy with his adopted homeland. At this moment it seems highly unlikely that RCB will let go of this gem of a player in the near future.

#4 Shane Watson

Shane Watson was the key figure for Rajasthan Royals winning the inaugural edition of the IPL. He is the only player in the league’s history to have received the man of the series award twice – he bagged that honour in the inaugural edition and was again awarded the Man of the series in the 2013 season, where his team finished third.

You can call him a complete all-rounder who can bat, bowl and field well. The right-hand batsman and bowler has scored more than 2,000 runs and has taken 55 wickets for the Royals. It is because of his consistent performances that he has been retained not once but twice by Rajasthan Royals.

Watson took over the captaincy from Rahul Dravid and will be hoping to bring more glory to Rajasthan Royals.

#3 MS Dhoni

Who else than the man himself! Whenever we talk or think about Chennai Super Kings (CSK) the first player that comes to mind is Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The Indian captain has been with the Chennai outfit since season one and is their icon player. Chennai has become his second home after Ranchi.

Dhoni has been the most successful captain in IPL history, having won four major championships (two IPL and two CLT20 trophies). He has missed just three matches for CSK in his IPL career and has scored 2,699 runs at a strike rate of 142.43.

Over the years, Dhoni has made vital contributions with the bat which have helped CSK in winning many matches. But it’s not just the runs that make Dhoni a valuable member; his mere presence in the team is enough to lift the morale of all the players around him.

Dhoni is the heart and soul of CSK and it is unlikely that we will ever see him play for some other franchise in the IPL. Do not be surprised if Chennai Super Kings is the first and last team he plays for.

#2 Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga is arguably the deadliest bowler in the shortest format of the game. He has been with the Mumbai Indians since 2009 and has become their leading wicket-taker. He played an influential part in Mumbai winning one IPL and two Champions League T20 trophies.

Malinga was the purple cap winner in the 2011 edition in which he took 28 wickets. Further, he was also the highest wicket taker in the CLT20 tournament in 2011 and won the player of the tournament award, helping his team win their first major trophy.

His ability to bowl toe crushing yorkers at will are next to none, and Mumbai Indians have reaped great rewards from that. In fact, Mumbai fans love the Sri Lankan international so much that he was cheered wildly during the presentation of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup final at the Wankhede. If Mumbai Indians ever make a hall of fame list, Malinga’s name will surely be right up there.

#1 Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina is the most consistent performer in the IPL. He has been one of the key members for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and has played all the matches for his team since the IPL began, making him the most capped player in the league’s history. He has cemented the one down position while playing for CSK and is not only the highest run getter for his team but also the highest run scorer in the history of IPL.

Over the years, Raina has played some magnificent innings in the tournament. He slammed a splendid knock of 87 runs off just 25 balls in a losing cause against the Kings XI Punjab last year. He also played a match-winning knock of 109 runs in the final of the 2014 Champions league T20 against Kolkata Knight Riders.

It won’t be wrong to say that this left hander is one of the main reasons for CSK performing well each year. He has won two IPL trophies and two Champions League trophies while playing for Chennai. It would be a big surprise if the men in yellow ever let go of their star batsmen.