IPL: 3 instances when players scored a century against their former franchise

Over the years, the IPL has witnessed several scintillating centuries scored by both the domestic as well as the overseas stars. It is the performance of these players, that has taken the league to a whole new level. It all began on April 18, 2008, with Brendon McCullum's thunderous knock of 158(73) against the Royal Challengers at the Chinnaswamy stadium.

In the next season, Manish Pandey playing for the RCB became the first ever Indian to score an IPL hundred. Apart from these knocks, three other players have done something unique in the IPL history. Yes, they have scored a century against the franchises for which they played for several seasons in the past. Let us now look at those players who have scored a century against their former franchise.

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#3 Shane Watson (Chennai Super Kings) vs Rajasthan Royals at Pune

April 20, 2018: Shane Watson played eight seasons for the Rajasthan Royals form 2008-2015. He won the inaugural IPL with them under the legendary Shane Warne and was also the Player of the tournament in the 2008 edition of the IPL. After a successful eight-year stint with the Jaipur franchise, he moved to the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2016 after the Royals were suspended for two seasons (2016 and 2017).

He was bought by the Royal Challengers for a whopping INR 9.5 crore, making him the costliest buy of that season. He had a poor stint with the RCB, representing them for two seasons (2016 and 2017). In the 2018 auctions, he was bought by the two-time champions, Chennai Super Kings for INR 4 crore.

In the game against his former franchise, Watson scored a superb century 106(57), which included nine fours and six sixes. He brought up his century in just 51 deliveries, much to the delight of the fans of the Yellow Army.

Watson, who was in fine touch in the previous games continued his good run against the Royals and took Chennai's total to 204-5 in 20 overs after the Royals elected to field first. In reply, the Royals were bowled out for 140 in 18.3 overs and lost the match by a margin of 64 runs. Watson was the Man of the match for his wonderful century which set up Chennai's win.

#2 Wriddhiman Saha (Kings XI Punjab) vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Bengaluru

Wriddhiman Saha

2014 IPL finals: June 1, 2014- The current Indian test wicket-keeper represented the Kolkata Knight Riders in the first three IPL seasons (2008-2010). He then moved to the Chennai Super Kings in 2011 and won the fourth season title with them. After his three year stint with the Men in Yellow, he was bought by the Kings XI Punjab in the 2014 auctions.

The 2014 edition which was played in the United Arab Emirates and India, witnessed Glenn Maxwell's magic with the willow throughout the season. His heroics with the bat in the 2014 IPL ensured Punjab a place in the IPL finals for the very first time in their history. In the finals played at the Chinnaswamy stadium, the Kings XI Punjab encountered the Kolkata Knight Riders who were in red-hot form coming into the summit clash.

On winning the toss, Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir elected to field first. Punjab lost two early wickets with just 30 runs on the board. It was then all about this man, Wriddhiman Saha who scored a blistering 115*(55), which included ten fours and eight sixes. He thereby became the first ever player to score a century in the IPL finals.

Saha was well complemented by Manan Vohra, who scored a solid 67(52) and stabilized Punjab's innings. This set Kolkata a target of 200 in 20 overs which they managed to chase down in 19.3 overs with the loss of seven wickets.

Local boy, Manish Pandey who knew the Chinnaswamy conditions well, scored 94(50) and ensured Kolkata's record IPL final chase. In spite of scoring a brilliant hundred under pressure in a high-voltage clash, Saha was unfortunate to end up on the losing side.

#3 Chris Gayle (Royal Challengers Bangalore) vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Kolkata

Chris Gayle

April 22, 2011: Chris Gayle, the Universe Boss played for the Shahrukh Khan co-owned Kolkata Knight Riders franchise for the first three editions of the IPL. After a mediocre stint with them, he was released prior to the 2011 IPL auctions.

Surprisingly, he went unsold at the auctions with a base price of $400,000. Later, his fortunes changed and he was roped into the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad as a replacement to the injured Aussie pacer, Dirk Nannes. The Royal Challengers who were at the bottom of the table after a solitary win from four games received a major boost with Gayle's arrival.

The Kolkata Knight Riders set Bangalore a target of 172, after being put into bat by the Royal Challengers who won the toss. Chris Gayle, who was making his debut in the RCB colors opened the innings along with Tillakaratne Dilshan. Gayle went on to score a scintillating century, 102*(55) which included ten fours and seven towering sixes.

He finished the innings with an unbelievable strike-rate of 185.45. He took the hapless KKR bowlers all over the Eden Gardens and helped the Royal Challengers defeat the Kolkata Knight Riders by nine wickets in just 18.1 overs. No doubt, he was the Man of the match for his onslaught on a memorable debut in RCB colors.