IPL History: 3 players whose IPL careers blossomed after leaving RCB

The 12th edition of the Indian Premier League is done and dusted with Mumbai winning its 4th title against their arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings. Even though this edition seemed to be dominated by the giants, the underdogs put up a very good fight. Teams like Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab failed to make it to the play-offs because of lower net run rate. On the other hand, RCB had another miserable season losing six consecutive matches. In the next eight matches, they were able to win on five occasions, but that wasn’t enough. Things haven’t gone their way since that defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final of IPL 2016. They have struggled to perform as a unit and win games for their franchise. The team has brought in new players but it hasn’t helped them much.

There have been instances in the past where a particular player went on to play well for a franchise after leaving RCB. Let us take a look at three such players:

#1. KL Rahul:

KL Rahul - Image Courtesy (BCCI/IPLT20.com)

KL Rahul started his IPL career when he was picked as a back-up keeper for RCB in 2013. In the following season, he moved to SRH where he failed to make his mark. He came back to RCB in 2016 season where he had a wonderful season scoring close to 400 runs. Up until then, everyone had seen Rahul striking at 100 or 110. But in 2016, he worked on his game that helped him score at a quicker rate. Even though he was part of the 2017 squad, he was forced to pull out due to a shoulder injury. In the 2018 auctions, Rahul was auctioned to KXIP for a whooping 11 crores. He justified his price tag by scoring 659 runs in 14 matches that included six fifties and a highest score of 95*. He was the highest run getter for KXIP and third overall in that edition. He continued his form in 2019 scoring his maiden hundred against Mumbai Indians. He went on to amass 593 runs in 14 matches becoming the key player for KXIP.

#2. Quinton De Kock:

Quinton De Kock - Image Courtesy (BCCI/IPLT20.com)

If there is one international wicket-keeper who is capable of providing explosive starts, it is Quinton de Kock. He has the ability to win games single-handedly for the team. He started his IPL journey with SRH when he was bought for 20,000 USD in 2013. In spite of abundant talent, he failed to impress due to limited opportunities. From 2014 to 2017, he was part of Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) squad. In the 2018 auctions, he was bought by RCB for 2.8 crore rupees. In the eight matches he played, he scored only one fifty averaging just 25.13. Prior to 2019 auctions, RCB traded de Kock to Mumbai Indians. He was opted as a regular keeper batsman ahead of Tare and Ishan Kishan. He had a wonderful season scoring 529 runs in 16 matches including four half-centuries to his name. His contribution was vital in Mumbai securing their 4th IPL title.

#3. Karn Sharma:

Karn Sharma - Image Courtesy (BCCI/IPLT20.com)

Karn Sharma is a specialist right arm leg spinner and a lower order batsman who played for Railways in the domestic circuit. He was taken into RCB in 2009 but was given only one game where he didn’t bowl. For the next three seasons, he wasn’t taken into any franchise despite performing well in the domestic circuit. In 2013, he was inducted into SRH with Dale Steyn, Amit Mishra in the mix. He was as effective as the senior bowlers taking 11 wickets in 13 matches at a strike rate of 19.00. He was retained by the team in the 2016 auctions, which went on to win its first IPL title. He was sold to Mumbai Indians in the 2017 auctions. His impressive spell of none for 18 in four overs played a crucial role in the final that Mumbai won. In the 2018 auctions, he was purchased by CSK for five crores. Luckily, he won the IPL with CSK that year. He continues to play for Chennai in IPL and has grown to be a game changer.