3 pairs of cricketers who have always played for the same IPL team

Indian Premier League has been the most successful T20 league since its inception in 2008. We have witnessed numerous iconic duos throughout these years, who have formed the overall identity of their IPL franchises.

Cricketing pairs like Sehwag-Gambhir, Kohli-de Villiers, Jadeja-Ashwin, Dhoni-Raina, Tendulkar-Harbhajan, Gayle-Kohli and many more have managed to entertain the IPL fraternity across the world. In fact, they have run the show and gathered large crowds during their home games single-handedly.

Not only they share a similar jersey and kit during their togetherness, but form a bond and write a few chapters of their life with one voice which is beyond cricket.

There are many pairs we can recollect of but only a few have managed to be in the same team the whole time. Let us have look at these duos who have never played from a different IPL team.

Note - Players who have played at least 8 seasons together are only considered.

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#3 Yusuf Pathan and Shakib Al Hasan (2011-present)

They formed an integral part of KKR

Both Yusuf Pathan and Shakib Al Hasan have been known for the part they played in the successful run of Kolkata Knight Riders. In the mega auctions ahead of IPL 2011, the franchise got hold of the then Rajasthan Royals' squash-buckling hero into their kitty while the Bangladeshi earned his maiden IPL contract with them.

The all-rounder duo took the responsibility to handle the middle-order batting for KKR for plenty of years and even finished the games at the crux. Moreover, they rolled over their arms whenever the required, though Shakib was more regular with the ball, thereby adding value to the team.

Yusuf and Shakib have experienced a lot of success together being a part of KKR, having won the IPL title twice in their journey (2012 and 2014).

After their departure from KKR in IPL 2018 auctions, the pair found themselves together yet again with the Kane Williamson-led Sunrisers Hyderabad.

#2 Harbhajan Singh and Ambati Rayudu (2010-present)

Rayudu and Bhajji has formed the most successful pair in the IPL

When it comes to the most quirky relations between team-mates, Ambati Rayudu and Harbhajan Singh definitely strike our minds. Well, we all know about that ugly face-off between the two when Bhajji lost his temper to Rayudu's failed attempt to protect the boundary.

Having played over 100 IPL matches side by side, they have seen a lot of success with Mumbai Indians over a period of 8 IPL seasons, by winning 3 IPL trophies - 2013, 2015, 2017.

After MI released them from their scheme of things in IPL 2018 auctions, Chennai Super Kings cashed in by getting hold of the iconic duo, and what turned out for them soon was a fourth IPL title in their adventure together.

It was particularly special for Rayudu as he led CSK's batting group by racking up 602 runs in the season.

#1 MS Dhoni and Faf du Plessis (2011-present)

Both Dhoni and du Plessis have led their national sides as well

Talking about MS Dhoni in IPL, players like Suresh Raina, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo comes to our mind if we talk about the formation of a doublet. But quite a few people would be aware of the fact that only Faf du Plessis has never left his hand throughout his IPL campaign.

The South African skipper has admitted to have learned a few captaincy skills from the great captain cool, MS Dhoni.

Faf gained his first IPL contract from Chennai Super Kings back in 2011, only to warm benches throughout the season. Thereafter, he was a regular member of the team for three consecutive years before the unfortunate happened.

CSK got banned for a couple of years, but things didn't change for this duo as they both were picked by Rising Pune Supergiants. After the return of the yellows, Dhoni-Faf found themselves together yet again after MS was retained as a captain and du Plessis was roped-in by the use of RTM.