3 former MI players who are now with RCB for IPL 2023

The Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are among the most popular franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The two teams have dished out some iconic moments and memorable matches since the first edition in 2008.

MI and RCB were pretty much floating in the same boat until 2013. Both sides made it a habit of making it to the top four but struggled to get their hands on the coveted trophy. However, MI have gone on to win five titles under Rohit Sharma while RCB, despite their brilliance in patches, are still waiting for their moment in the sun.

Some of the greatest players in the sport have represented either one of these two popular franchises. The likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, Jacques Kallis, and Virat Kohli among others have donned the famous jerseys.

Any aspiring cricketer would love the opportunity to be a part of any one of the two giant franchises, but a lucky bunch have had the chance of representing both sides over the span of their careers.

On that note, here are three players who have represented the five-time champions in the past and are now part of RCB for IPL 2023.

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#1 Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell has had a topsy-turvy IPL career, but his current stint with RCB is proving to be arguably his best. His performances in the 2021 season got him retained and he is an integral part of the team as a senior member of the squad.

The Australian all-rounder came in with a big reputation when he was a replacement player for the Delhi franchise. MI then went on to acquire him for a sum of $1 million at the next auction in 2013.

While the Rohit Sharma-led side went on to win the title that season, Maxwell only played three matches, scoring 36 runs before being released.

After a couple of forgettable stints with the Delhi and Punjab franchises in 2018 and 2020, his move to RCB arguably reignited his IPL career.

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#2 Dinesh Karthik

MI emerges as one of the six franchises that Dinesh Karthik has played for in the IPL. The wicketkeeper-batter was part of the MI camp across two seasons in 2012 and 2013.

Karthik enjoyed his most prolific season with the bat in 2013 and played a big hand in MI's title win by scoring 510 runs in 19 matches. He found himself back with the Delhi franchise in 2014 and moved to RCB in 2015.

His first stint with RCB only lasted a year, but he made a return to the franchise in 2022. He was roped in for ₹5.50 crores at the mega auction and enjoyed a stunning season as a finisher, paving a path to the national team in the process as well. His exploits led him to be retained by the franchise for the ongoing IPL 2023.

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#3 Karn Sharma

Holding the illustrious record of bagging three IPL titles with three different franchises, Karn Sharma is currently part of the RCB setup.

The leg-spinner was part of Rohit Sharma's team that won their third title in 2017. The title-winning season also marked his most successful campaign as he bagged 13 wickets in nine matches, including a key spell in the final against the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant.

The 35-year-old then spent the next four years with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), winning two titles in 2018 and 2021, before being roped in by RCB at the mega auction for his base price of ₹50 Lakh.

While Karn Sharma did not make an appearance in the 2021 and 2022 editions, he was still retained by RCB. With Bangalore's spin department running a bit thin in the absence of Wanindu Hasaranga at the start of the 2023 season, the veteran got a few chances. He has taken eight wickets in five matches in the ongoing season so far.

Who will win the upcoming clash between the two heavyweights in IPL 2023? Let us know what you think.