IPL: 5 prolific players who have represented both Mumbai Indians & Chennai Super Kings

India-Pakistan, Australia-England, India-Australia, Australia-South Africa - In this list of historic rivalries, one can add Chennai Super Kings-Mumbai Indians. Both CSK & MI are the most consistent teams in the history of IPL. Because of CSK’s 2-year hiatus, Mumbai Indians went ahead of their archrivals regarding title victories. In short, CSK vs. MI is the ‘El Clasico’ of Indian Premier League.

Over the years, a handful of players have moved between the two franchises. Among them, let us look at 5 prolific players who produced the maximum impact.

Honorable Mentions: Parthiv Patel, Tim Southee, Thisara Perera, Karn Sharma, Jacob Oram, Ben Hilfenhaus, Akila Dananjaya

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#5 Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh is currently playing for CSK

The Turbanator is the only player to represent Mumbai Indians for 10 consecutive seasons from 2008-2017. He is the second leading wicket-taker for Mumbai Indians with only Malinga ahead of him. However, the franchise decided not to retain him ahead of the 2018 auction.

Since CSK arrived at the auction table with the aim of buying experienced players, Mumbai Indian’s decision made things easy for CSK. Though Harbhajan has not taken enough wickets in this season, he has kept things tight with the economy rate of 7.48.

#4 Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu is in tremendous form for CSK in this season

Ambati Rayudu’s decision to join the Indian Cricket League (ICL) delayed his arrival at the IPL since the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) earlier banned the players who participated in the rebel league. Once the ban was revoked, Mumbai Indians signed Rayudu ahead of the 2010 auction. Along with Rohit Sharma, he shouldered the middle-order responsibility throughout his time with the franchise. In a strange move, Mumbai Indians decided not to retain Rayudu for the 2018 edition.

One man’s loss is another man’s gain. Mumbai Indian’s decision backfired massively as the team is currently struggling with inconsistent misfiring middle-order. Nevertheless, Rayudu is breathing fire for CSK as he is scoring consistently. In fact, Rayudu is the current holder of the ‘Orange Cap.’

#3 Dwayne Smith

Dwayne Smith went unsold in the 2018 auction

Dwayne Smith’s association with MI started back in 2008, which lasted for just a single season. His reunion with the franchise came during the middle of 2012 season as he replaced the injured Mitchell Johnson. His very first match in that season was a memorable one as he robbed a victory from CSK by hitting 14 runs in the final three balls. In the 2013 season, he built a great opening partnership with Sachin Tendulkar at the top and played an instrumental role in their title-winning campaign.

In the 2014 mega-auction, CSK bought Smith for INR 4.5 crores. Smith along with the former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum formed an explosive partnership at the top of the order for the next two seasons. However, CSK decided to let go of both Smith & McCullum in this season. In fact, Smith did not attract any bidders and went unsold in this year auction.

#2 Michael Hussey

Mr. Cricket is the only player to move between CSK & MI twice

Mike Hussey’s association with CSK started right from the inaugural season. He starred in the franchise’ debut match with a swashbuckling century against Kings XI Punjab on April 19, 2008. He was an essential member of the CSK setup. However, the franchise released him ahead of the 2014 auction.

Mumbai Indians signed Hussey for the 2014 season. Nevertheless, he could not replicate his previous success for MI. He struggled for form throughout the tournament. As a result, the franchise released him at the end of the season.

In the 2015 season, Hussey once again returned to his favorite franchise CSK. With Baz and Smith in good form, Hussey did not get enough opportunities in his comeback season. Though he retired from playing competitive cricket, his association with the franchise continues in the form of batting coach.

#1 Dwayne Bravo

Dwayne Bravo represented Mumbai Indians in the first three seasons of the tournament

Dwayne Bravo started his IPL journey with Mumbai Indians back in 2008. He fared well for the Mumbai Indians in the initial three seasons. Kieron Pollard’s arrival during the 2010 edition perhaps marked the end of Bravo’s tenure with MI. Ahead of the mega 2011 auction, Mumbai decided to retain only Pollard.

CSK bought Bravo during the 2011 auction, and the rest is history. In the process, Bravo became the first player to represent both MI & CSK. Bravo’s growth in the T20 format is unimaginable. His death-over bowling skills coupled with his thunderous strikes with the bat makes him the No.1 T20 all-rounder in the world. Among all those players who moved between the two franchises, Bravo must be the one that the Mumbai Indians misses the most.