IPL has become the topmost T20 cricket league in the world thanks to the uniqueness of the competition. It is the only league on the planet, where the active Indian players play with the foreign players in the same team. Eight city-based franchises compete in the league, and some new teams have also joined and left the competition.
Because of the auctions and changes in teams, all players switch teams after a certain time. While players like Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, and Shane Warne have played for only one team, here’s a look at the nine Indian players who captained two teams in the league.
MS Dhoni – Chennai Super Kings and Rising Pune Supergiant
MS Dhoni has been one of the most successful captains in IPL history. Under his captaincy, Chennai Super Kings have reached the IPL playoffs in every season that they have played.
Unfortunately, the franchise received a temporary suspension from the league in 2015. Rising Pune Supergiant and Gujarat Lions replaced Chennai and Rajasthan Royals. Dhoni became a part of the Pune-based franchise and in the team’s first season, he was the skipper. The Ranchi-based player will captain Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2020.
Suresh Raina – Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Lions
Suresh Raina is the vice-captain of Chennai Super Kings and when MS Dhoni was unavailable to play, Raina stepped up and led the team in Thala’s absence. The left-handed batsman has an immense IPL experience, but he will probably miss the upcoming season.
Like Dhoni, Suresh Raina was also left without any team when Chennai got suspended. Raina was drafted to Gujarat Lions later and the team management elected the southpaw as their captain.
Gautam Gambhir – Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders
Delhi Capitals, formerly known as Delhi Daredevils, was the home of Gautam Gambhir in the first few IPL seasons. He led the team in a few matches then and in 2018, he returned to the side as the captain.
During his time away from Delhi, Gambhir joined the Kolkata Knight Riders and won two IPL trophies. He was a very successful IPL captain, but his last few matches were not so eventful.
Virender Sehwag – Delhi Capitals and Kings XI Punjab
Another Delhi-based player to feature on this list is the explosive right-handed opening batsman Virender Sehwag. The former Indian opener began his IPL career as a part of the Delhi team and was the captain of the team.
However, after he lost his golden touch, Delhi released him from their squad. Sehwag played two seasons for Kings XI Punjab and led them in a few matches before quitting the sport.
Rahul Dravid – Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore
Known as The Wall, Rahul Dravid was famous for his defensive batting style on the pitch. Not many fans expected him to succeed in the shortest version of cricket.
However, Dravid proved everyone wrong by leading Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals brilliantly in the IPL. Dravid won 22 of his 48 matches as a captain and also did well as a batsman.
Yuvraj Singh – Pune Warriors and Kings XI Punjab
Yuvraj Singh played a massive role in India’s 2011 World Cup win as well as the 2007 T20 World Cup triumph. Singh was backed by many to become an IPL legend.
Unfortunately, Yuvraj could not perform consistently in IPL, which is why he did not have a long stint with a single franchise. The southpaw captained Kings XI Punjab and Pune Warriors in the first few IPL seasons and then only played as a player.
Sourav Ganguly – Kolkata Knight Riders and Pune Warriors
Kolkata Knight Riders did the unthinkable when they released The Prince of Kolkata Sourav Ganguly from their IPL squad. Subsequently, no franchise bought him in the IPL Auction.
Pune Warriors roped him as a replacement player and appointed him as the team’s captain. Ganguly played his last IPL matches for Pune and is now the BCCI President.
Dinesh Karthik – Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders
Like Yuvraj Singh, the fans expected Dinesh Karthik to become a big name in the IPL, playing for just one franchise. However, the same has not happened as his inconsistency has led to Karthik’s exit from many franchises.
Karthik once led the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, while he has become a part of Kolkata Knight Riders now. The right-handed batsman has been playing for Kolkata since 2018 and has done a fine job as captain.
Ajinkya Rahane – Rising Pune Supergiant and Rajasthan Royals
Ajinkya Rahane has become a part of Delhi Capitals now, but there was a time when he was the face of the Rajasthan Royals team. Rahane was their best batsman and the team management entrusted him with the captain’s role.
When RR got suspended, Rahane played for Rising Pune Supergiant and skippered the team in the absence of MS Dhoni. The right-handed batsman did not have a great run as a captain last year.
