The IPL is unpredictable, and CSK’s history proves that not every player gets a fair shot in their first stint
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is known for its consistency, trophies, and, of course, its die-hard fanbase. From MS Dhoni’s masterstrokes to thrilling last-over finishes, the team has built a legacy in the IPL. But what if we told you that some players you never associate with CSK actually wore the yellow jersey once? Sounds wild, right?
Let’s take a look at some surprising names who were once part of the Super Kings’ squad but never indeed received the spotlight.
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Yes, you read that right. Andrew Tye, known for his knuckleballs and toe-crushing yorkers, was actually part of CSK in 2015. However, he didn’t play a single game that season and was released without making his debut. Fast forward to 2018, and he became the Purple Cap winner with Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), taking 24 wickets. Talk about a dramatic turnaround!
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West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder has been a captain, a match-winner, and a key player for multiple IPL teams. But did you know he was part of CSK back in 2013? His stint was short-lived, and he barely made an impact before moving on to the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and later the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)? Not quite the fairytale CSK career, but hey, he still made history elsewhere!
Credit: Economic Times
The mystery spinner from Sri Lanka, Akila Dananjaya, was once part of CSK’s squad before moving to the Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2018. Interestingly, he was picked for MI after Mahela Jayawardene recognized his potential during his time with Wayamba United in Sri Lanka. Another talent that CSK had but never fully utilized!
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A solid batter and reliable fielder, Hemang Badani was picked by CSK in 2010. However, fate had other plans, as he never played a game for the franchise. Despite being a seasoned player in domestic cricket, his IPL career never took off, and he soon transitioned into coaching and commentary.
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Remember the name? Probably not. But Arun Karthik made headlines in his early days when he hit a last-ball six in the Champions League T20, propelling his team to the semi-finals. Unfortunately, his time with CSK was short-lived, and he subsequently spent much of his tenure on the bench for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) before disappearing from the IPL scene.
