IPL 2018: 5 players whose fortunes changed after changing teams

#2 Chris Gayle

Gayle found his feet in the IPL with RCB

Chris Gayle's story has been one of the greatest ones in the Indian Premier League. The big man has always been a majestic hitter of the ball, and was bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders for big money in the first-ever IPL auction. After missing the inaugural season, Gayle disappointed in the following two seasons with 171 and 292 runs at strike rates of 119.58 and 158.69 respectively.

Though the 2010 season may not have been too bad, it was well below expectations. As expected, the Knight Riders decided against retaining his services and Gayle was put in to the 2011 auction.

Despite his incredible performances in the IPL, it was still shocking to see the Jamaican not managing to attract a single bid. It looked like Gayle's short-lived IPL career was over, but the world works in mysterious ways. As fate would have it, when Royal Challengers Bangalore's pacer Dirk Nannes picked up an injury, they decided to call upon Gayle as a replacement. This 'replacement' turned out to be the most destructive force in IPL history. It was a story written in the stars!

Which other man could plunder 175 runs in 66 balls? In what was an unbelievable transformation, Gayle went on to win two consecutive orange caps in 2011 and 2012, and finish second highest run-getter in 2013. Ironically, Gayle scored a century on his debut for the Royal Challengers Bangalore against - you guessed it - the Kolkata Knight Riders!

Let's look at one more interesting stat to fully come to terms with how destructive Gayle has been in the IPL. Gayle has plundered 265 sixes in his IPL career. Suresh Raina is second with 173. And Gayle has played only 101 games as opposed to Raina's 161. Yes, you read that right. Let it sink in!

The big man has scored five scintillating centuries and has produced so many more memorable knocks. He has always kept the Chinnaswamy crowd up on their feet. Even though he lost his way in the last two editions of the IPL, he showed why he is the greatest T20 player of all time with an incredible showing at the Bangladesh Premier League.

It looks like Chris Gayle is not done with the IPL just yet! If the Bangalore franchisee chose not to retain him, could a change in fortune again be on the cards for the big man?