Atreyo Mukhopadhyay
The Indian Premier League(IPL) is on its 16th voyage, having dropped anchor at venues like South Africa and the United Arab Emirates along the way. And there are 12 Indian players who have featured in some team or the other from the very beginning. This is a testament to their longevity. Virat Kohli has stuck to one team from the first day. MS Dhoni turned up for a different one only when Chennai Super Kings were suspended for two seasons. RevSportz takes a look at this durable lot, which has a 12th man in the true sense of the word.
MS Dhoni: The only one of the lot who has led the sides he played for every year, apart from a brief stint with Rising Pune Super Giants. Probably the best captain in the history of the IPL, he has been a constant with Chennai Super Kings and their most iconic ‘Thala’ [means the leader], having won the title as captain in four seasons. This is phenomenal considering that he stopped playing international cricket some years ago. To be able to continue to be relevant in this form of franchise cricket speaks volumes of his unreal fitness, commitment and focus. Arguably, the most sensational player and leader who is going strong even at the age of 41. He can still hit sixes moments after coming into bat.
Virat Kohli: The only one in the list who has spent his entire IPL career with one team, the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Picked when he was the skipper of India’s Under-19 World Cup-winning team, he led this franchise for nearly a decade before opting out of that responsibility. The only player to score four centuries in a single edition of the tournament, in 2016, he remains a formidable force as has been witnessed this season. If we talk about brand loyalty, the ability of a franchise to retain a star player for so many seasons, Kohli’s association with RCB is unprecedented in the history of IPL. We can talk about his occasional weakness against slow, incoming deliveries, not his commitment to this team. Very few are likely to emulate the feat of spending 16 years with one side.
Rohit Sharma: A member of the Indian team which won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, he was initially lapped up by the now-defunct Deccan Chargers. He won the IPL title with them in 2009 in South Africa. After switching over to Mumbai Indians, he went on to become their most crowned captain, winning the IPL in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. This is an unmatched record. Even the great ‘Thala’ cannot boast of this, as of now. His leadership record with Mumbai Indians eventually led to his promotion as the captain of Indian team. This is a point to remember. He is the only player who became the captain of the Indian team based on his success with an IPL franchise.
Shikhar Dhawan: In terms of durability, ability to adjust to the demands of different IPL teams, one has to say this Delhi opener is among the most prolific. He has played for Deccan Chargers, Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad and is leading the Punjab Kings this season. He also has the experience of winning the IPL, in 2016, with SRH. He is one of the most underrated consistent performers, who has delivered the goods for whichever team he has played for. And he continues to be on song even at the age of 37. A low-profile guy compared to some of his contemporaries, Dhawan is a shining example of what can be achieved with somewhat limited abilities. His willingness to carry on and get those runs should be inspirational for kids.
Dinesh Karthik: Delhi Daredevils, Gujarat Lions, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore. Phew, this man from Tamil Nadu has been to a few places. Captain of KKR for two seasons, he did not quite live up to the expectations of the franchise, but revived his international career remarkably while playing for RCB. His sensational finishing abilities earned him a recall to the Indian team, and he went on to play the T20 World Cup in 2022. Remember, his Test debut was in 2004. That’s a long time in top-flight cricket. And the important point is, he is still a sought-after player at the age of 37. DK is the ‘Day and Knight’ of IPL.
Ravindra Jadeja: Another member of India’s Under-19 World Cup-winning side in 2008, he was Shane Warne’s ‘Rockstar’ in the Rajasthan Royals side in the inaugural edition of IPL. It has been a rollercoaster ride for him since. Bought by CSK at an astronomical cost of Rs 9.72 crore in 2012, he has also turned up for Gujarat Lions and Kochi Tuskers Kerala. Captain of CSK for a period last season, his brush with leadership did not last that long but he continues to be a crucial cog in the wheel for the Whistle Podu brigade. Bowling, batting, fielding, he is everywhere and, with the bat, he dented the prospects of poor Prasidh Krishna in a CSK-KKR match a couple of seasons ago. A man for all seasons, he has lasted quite a few.
Manish Pandey: A teenage prodigy when bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore, he is the first Indian to score a century in the IPL, in 2009. Fortune has taken him to several places since. Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians, Pune Warriors, Sunrisers Hyderabad and, now, Delhi Capitals. Probably, his most memorable moment came in 2014, when he led KKR’s charge in the final with a 50-ball 94 in a successful chase of 200. He was the Player of the Match. His India career did not come to what was expected, but he remains an important commodity in the IPL market. He is still just 33. Expect him to spend a few more seasons in this franchise gala. He is value for money, for his batting and fielding skills.
Amit Mishra: Mishy continues to stay relevant, like leg-spinners do in the IPL. They never age, and so he has not despite touching 40. Sunrisers Hyderabad were the first IPL side to field two leg-spinners in the XI regularly, and Mishra was one of them alongside Karn Sharma. He has also played for Deccan Chargers, Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants, and continues to prove his worth to this day. One of the most low-profile India and IPL cricketers, he has not quite been pegged back by age, and matured into the proverbial ‘old wine’. Not in the India reckoning for a long time, he has kept going and proven his worth. Going by the way he is doing, it seems possible that his name will feature in the list if this kind of an exercise is repeated.
Piyush Chawla: Hitter of the winning stroke in the KKR – Kings XI final in 2014, he has survived and thrived. Fresh evidence of that came very recently, of course with the ball and his googlies. Kings XI Punjab in the first few seasons and then an integral part of KKR’s three-pronged spin attack, the man from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh has been one of the low-lying survivors, having also played for Chennai Super Kings before being bought by Mumbai Indians. He took 3-22 in four overs in his team’s first win of the season. A part of the India Under-19 team when he was 16 or thereabouts, he has not faded away, and evidence of that came in that game against Delhi Capitals.
Wriddhiman Saha: Another grand survivor and the first player to score a century in the IPL final, in 2014, although in a losing cause for Kings XI against KKR. Did not matter much though, as he became a part of the championship winning XI, in 2022 for Gujarat Titans. Another very low-profile player who has travelled to different parts. Played for KKR, CSK, and SRH. From being a lower-order batter and wicketkeeper, to becoming the opening batter of the defending champion team, this has been some journey and adaptation. A fitness freak and quiet person, Saha is one of the biggest unsung heroes of the IPL.
Ajinkya Rahane: Fairly well-travelled guy. Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians, Rising Pune Supergiants, Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals and, now, a match-winner for Chennai Super Kings at the age of 34, when he was written off. Open the batting? Yes. Middle order? Yes. Play the role of aggressor? Yes. Play the holding role? Yes. Rahane has said no to nothing. Yes, his achievements have not always been that great, and he has not played too many match-winning knocks. But may be with CSK this year, he can be seen in a different avatar. This is a team known for providing flexibility to veterans, and perhaps Rahane is in the right place at the right time.
Ishant Sharma: In the squad but yet to play a match this season, he is the 12th man in our XI of the IPL players to have been in some squad or the other for all 16 seasons. A greenhorn when bought by KKR in 2008, he has turned up for Deccan Chargers, Kings XI Punjab, Rising Pune Supergiants and Sunrisers Hyderabad before returning home, to Delhi Capitals. His team’s campaign has not gone right yet and he has been consigned to the bench. He has been expensive most of the times he has played, for any team. Possibly more suited to the longest format, he has still been a bowler to find a team, whatever colour they sport.
