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Kolkata Knight Riders is one of the most successful franchises in IPL cricket. They have made it to the playoffs in six seasons and went on to win the coveted trophy twice in 2012 and 2014.
Over the years, several Indian international stars have represented Kolkata Knight Riders in this cash-rich league but many remember only the likes of Sourav Ganguly, Gautam Gambhir, Yousuf Pathan and Robin Uthappa, donning the KKR jersey.
However, there have been some former players who either failed to get chances to prove their worth or didn't fit into the scheme things, consequently, the team management let them go.
Let us take a look at five such popular capped Indian players who were once a part of KKR.
#5 Mandeep Singh
One of the mainstays of the current RCB batting line-up, Mandeep Singh actually started his IPL career with KKR who roped him for the third edition of the tournament in 2010.
The Jalandhar-born cricketer failed to make an impact that season as he just managed to score 4 runs in two innings at an awful strike rate of 36.36. The 26-year-old was not picked again by KKR due to his poor numbers that season.
The right-hander was bought by his home franchise Kings XI Punjab the following season and went on to become the leading run scorer for them in the 2012 season with 432 runs in 16 innings.
After representing Punjab for four seasons, Mandeep was picked up by RCB in 2015 and he currently represents the same franchise.
This year, the youngster has scored 252 runs in 13 innings at an average of 25.20 playing for RCB.
#4 Varun Aaron
The fast bowler from Jharkhand has grabbed all the attention when he consistently clocked 145 kmph mark in the domestic circuit.
Aaron was picked up by KKR for the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2008. Despite being a part of KKR for the first three editions, the quickie did not manage to play a single game, mainly due to the presence of stalwarts Shane Bond, Ajantha Mendis. and Ajit Agarkar etc.
In 2011, the 28-year-old was roped in by Delhi Daredevils and remained with them for the next season, before being bought by RCB in 2014. After representing RCB for three years, he got a massive bid of Rs.2.5 Crore from KXIP in 2017 but went unsold this year.
Aaron has picked 38 wickets in 42 matches, going at 8.67 runs per over.
#3 Sanju Samson
The exceptionally talented young batsman from Kerala has impressed one and all representing Rajasthan Royals. He scored an unbeaten fifty of 41-ball-63 against RCB on his debut and became the youngest player to register a half-century in the IPL.
But not many people know that he came on to the scene in 2012 when KKR picked him. With the likes of Gambhir, Bisla, Tiwary, Yusuf Pathan and Shakib Al Hasan in the KKR ranks, the right-hander had to spend the entire season warming the bench.
Representing Delhi Daredevils in 2016 and 2017 seasons, the 23-year-old scored his maiden T20 ton (63-ball-102) against RPS in IPL 10. The youngster has scored 441 runs in 15 matches at an average of 31.50 representing Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2018.
#2 Cheteshwar Pujara
Not many people know that the Cheteshwar Pujara featured in the Indian Premier League.
The Saurashtra batsman was first roped in by KKR in 2008, but he didn't manage to get a game under his belt for the first two editions. In 2011, Pujara made his debut for KKR and scored just 122 runs in 6 innings at an average of 30.5 and a mediocre strike rate of 106.09.
The 30-year-old later represented RCB for three seasons and Kings XI Punjab in 2014 before going unsold for the next four seasons.
#1 Jaidev Unadkat
Despite making his debut way back in 2010 against South Africa, Jaidev Unadkat made a strong mark for himself in the last season of IPL, representing the MS Dhoni-led Rising Pune Supergiant. He scalped 24 wickets in 12 innings last season.
Following his excellent show in the U-19 2010, KKR awarded him an IPL contract the same season. He picked 11 wickets in 9 matches representing KKR from 2010 to 2012.
The left arm-pacer has registered his best T20 figures of 5/25 against DD representing RCB in 2013. Later, Unadkat represented DD, KKR, and RPS before fetching a whopping Rs. 11 Crore from Rajasthan Royals this season.
The 26-year-old failed to live up to his massive price tag this season as he ended the 2018 IPL season with 11 wickets in 15 matches with his 3/46 against Delhi being his best.
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