Cricket is full of surprises, and IPL history proves it time and again
The Indian Premier League has always been a tournament full of surprises. From nail-biting thrillers to jaw-dropping upsets, the IPL never fails to amaze its fans. But here’s something that might leave you scratching your head—some of your favourite cricketers have played for teams you’d never associate them with! Hard to believe? Well, get ready for some serious throwback moments.
Most fans remember Manish Pandey’s heroics with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2014 IPL final or his steady presence at Sunrisers Hyderabad. But did you know he actually began his IPL journey with the Mumbai Indians in 2008? Fresh off his U-19 World Cup success, MI picked Pandey but barely got a chance to shine.
Steve Smith and RCB? Sounds odd, right? But it actually happened in 2010! Before becoming one of Australia’s finest batters, Smith was signed by Royal Challengers Bangalore as a replacement for Jesse Ryder. However, he never played a single game and was released before the next auction.
Mohammad Kaif’s fielding heroics are etched in Indian cricket history, and many remember him lifting the IPL trophy with the Rajasthan Royals in 2008. But how many of you recall that he played for RCB in 2011 and 2012? His time there, however, was forgettable—scoring just 55 runs in nine matches.
Stuart Binny made a name for himself at the Rajasthan Royals, but before that, he was actually part of the Mumbai Indians in 2010! Playing under Sachin Tendulkar’s captaincy should have been a dream, but Binny barely got a chance, appearing in just one match. It’s safe to say that MI fans hardly remember this one!
KL Rahul, now a T20 superstar, was once a player for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014 and 2015. However, he primarily played as a middle-order batter during that time and struggled to find his rhythm. In 20 matches, he scored only 308 runs with a strike rate of 106—not quite the powerhouse he is today.
