6 players who would be missed by their IPL franchises and fans

IPL has become one of the most prominent leagues in the world. Every year talents from around the world come to India to showcase their talent at this platform, few of them became overnight sensations.

These players are then given chances at the national stage to prove their mettle. There are some players who play a vital role not only in the victory of the team but also in its representation.

They are the players who become pivotal for their team and they play in such a way that they are cherished by their franchises and their absence makes their fans very anxious.

These players, with their performances, create a faith in everyone that they are going to lead the team to the title.

These players develop a close bond with the franchise and become the apple of their fans' eyes. This bond is special and connects the player and the fans emotionally.

But there are times when under various circumstances these players are not brought back by their franchises.

This episode becomes a shock for the fans and they miss these players. Here are six players which were not retained by the parent franchise and they were traded to the other team.

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#6 Karun Nair

Nair had a special connection with Rajasthan Royals

Karun Nair was bought by the Rajasthan Royals ahead of the 2014 season. That year he scored 330 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 142.24.

A technically sound player, Nair was backed by Rahul Dravid. He was one of the most trusted players in Dravid's squad.

When Rajasthan was banned for two years from IPL, Dravid moved to Delhi Daredevils and brought Nair also with him. Nair had a special connection with the Rajasthan Royals.

So, when the ban was lifted, Rajasthan tried hard to get him back in their squad. But his price skyrocketed in the auction and now Rajasthan could not afford him, so he went to KXIP.

#5 KL Rahul

KL Rahul played an important role in RCB's middle order

KL Rahul is a solid player having a good technique in his batting.

He caught everyone's eye in 2013 with his 250 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Rahul was picked by the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad ahead of IPL 2013, then he played for Sunrisers Hyderabad for two years before being brought back by RCB in 2016.

He played the role of middle-order batsman for RCB.

In 2016 IPL, he scored 397 runs in 14 matches at an amazing average of 44.11 and a staggering strike rate of 146.49.

He played some crucial innings at No.4 which took RCB to the final that year. He was not retained by the franchise in the auction due to his heavy price.

He would be sorely missed by the franchise and fans for his contributions at the middle order.

#4 Ravichandran Ashwin

Ashwin was CSK's prime spinner

Ashwin was a revelation in the third season of IPL when he was playing for the CSK. His carom ball was the new sensation at that time.

Ashwin opened the bowling for Chennai Super Kings, even bowled at death for them and came on whenever breakthroughs were required.

His control and cunning brain made him an unplayable bowler. In 2011, he picked 20 wickets in 16 matches at an average of 19.40.

With the CSK suspended for two years from IPL, Ashwin was bought up by Rising Pune Super Giants in 2016 for Rs 7.5 crores.

He was unavailable for 2017 season due to injury. CSK tried to assure anxious fans that they would try to get him back in the side.

At the auction, they did not retain due to his price. But as he was not only important CSK player but also a Tamil Nadu local boy, he will be highly missed in Chennai.

#3 Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh showed his value with both bat and ball for MI

Harbhajan Singh is one of India's most successful spinners. A passionate player, Bhajji was part of the IPL and played for Mumbai Indians since its inception.

He brought a rich experience to the Mumbai side, which played a crucial part in the success for the team as they won the IPL title thrice.

He even led them to a Champions League Title win. Harbhajan was not only a wicket-taking bowler but also a clean striker of the ball who could cause serious damage with his pinch hitting.

He took 127 wickets in 136 matches at an economy rate of 6.95 with his best figures being 5/18.

In a match against KXIP in 2015, he scored 64 runs in just 24 balls. He was picked by the CSK at the 2018 Auctions after a decade-long association with MI.

Mumbai will miss Harbhajan for his performances and dedication, he was like a mentor for the young players who were picked by Mumbai at every auction.

#2 Manish Pandey

Manish Pandey gave stability to the middle-order of KKR

Manish Pandey will always be remembered as the first Indian to score a century in the IPL. He was picked by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first three seasons of the IPL, Pandey was then signed by the Pune Warriors ahead of IPL 2011 and continued it till 2013 and at the IPL Player Auction 2014, he was purchased by the Kolkata Knight Riders.

He led his team to its second IPL title by playing an unbelievable inning of 94 runs in the final against Kings XI Punjab in the 2014 edition.

Pandey slowly established himself in the middle-order of the KKR with his natural stroke playing abilities.

In 2017, he scored 396 runs at an average of 49.5 in 14 matches. He played many innings in the middle order where with his composure and ability to soak pressure, he chased down the targets for KKR.

KKR did not retain him prior to the auction. At the auction, he went to Sunrisers Hyderabad for a price of 11 crores, which was not affordable for KKR.

Pandey would be greatly missed in KKR's middle order when they would have a huge target to chase.

#1 Gautam Gambhir

Gambhir was the captain of KKR which won two IPL titles

Gambhir, an attacking opener was bought by the Delhi Daredevils in 2008.

He scored 534 runs in 14 matches was the second-highest run-scorer in the league's inaugural season. Gambhir was made the captain of DD for the Champions League T20 in 2009 after Sehwag stepped down.

In 2011, he was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for a record price of $2.4 million and they made him their captain.

With his aggressive approach, he led KKR to victory in the IPL 2012 by defeating defending champions Chennai Super Kings in their own backyard in the final.

He played an important role both as an opening batsman who was consistent and captain who could control his side efficiently.

Gambhir was also the mastermind in bringing Sunil Narine to their side who stormed the IPL with his mystery bowling.

He again led his side to its second IPL title in 2014.

In his 148 matches in IPL, he scored 4132 runs which include 35 fifties.

Gambhir nurtured KKR from scratch, he even used to seat at auction table for KKR. Gambhir ruled the hearts of KKR fans.

So, it was a shock to them when he was not retained. Gambhir returned in the IPL 2018 auction to the Delhi Daredevils after playing seven seasons with the Kolkata Knight Riders.

He will be greatly missed for his contributions for KKR.