With Robin Uthappa traded to CSK for IPL 2021, he will be representing his sixth franchise, however, he is not the first to play for 5 or more teams
With trading window for the upcoming season of the IPL open till February 4 after beginning on January 20 after the announcements of releases and retentions, the teams have suddenly found themselves in proactive mode. While Delhi Capitals (DC) traded Daniel Sams and Harshal Patel to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Rajasthan Royals (RR) traded opening batsman Robin Uthappa to Chennai Super Kings.
This will be Uthappa's sixth IPL franchise as earlier he has plied his trade for Mumbai Indians, RCB, Pune Warriors India (PWI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). KKR released him after the 2019 season after which he was bought by RR for INR 3 crores. But, Uthappa is not the first person to play for these many franchises.
Here are some players who have played for five or more franchises:
1. Aaron Finch - 8
)
Australian limited-overs skipper Aaron Finch has represented the most number of teams in the IPL. Finch was first picked up by the Rajasthan Royals in the year 2010. After which he played next two years for then Delhi Daredevils. Then he also featured in the Pune Warriors India line-up before the team became defunct. Sicne then, Finch has been picked up by a team then released by them next season. As he has played for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Mumbai Indians, Kings XI Punjab, Gujarat Lions. Finch was picked by the RCB before the 2020 season, but was later released by them before the 2021 edition.
2. Parthiv Patel - 6
)
Left-handed wicket-keeper batsman Parthiv Patel, who has now retired from all forms of cricket, has represented most number of IPL teams for an Indian player. Patel started his IPL journey with the Chennai super Kings, after which he has represented now-defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala (KTK), Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians and the RCB.
3. Ishant Sharma - 6
)
Alongside Parthiv Patel, another Indian player who has played for the same number of teams is fast bowler Ishant Sharma. Sharma started his IPL journey with the Kolkata Knight Riders, after which the lanky pacer has played for Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rising Pune Supergiants, Kings XI Punjab (when he came in as a replacement for Murali Vijay) and since 2019 he is enjoying his home-return to the Delhi Capitals.
4. Yuvraj Singh - 6
)
India's former star batting all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who won his first IPL title with the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the year 2016, has also represented the same number of teams as his above mentioned two countrymen. Yuvraj, started his IPL career as the skipper of Kings XI Punjab. after which, the southpaw has played for Pune Warriors, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils, Mumbai Indians (where he won his second IPL title in 2019), as well.
5. Thisara Perera - 6
)
Sri Lanka's hard hitting all-rounder Thisara Perera has also played in the IPL featuring for six different teams. Perera was in Chennai Super Kings' squad for the inaugural season, after which he also played for the Kochi Tuskers Kerala. Perera since then has represented Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kings XI Punjab and he last played in the lucrative league in the 2016 season for the MS Dhoni-led side Rising Pune Supergiants.
6. Dinesh Karthik - 6
)
Former KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik is next in the line of the ones having played for six IPL teams. Karthik started his IPL career for the then Delhi Daredevils. After which the experienced wicket-keeper batsman has represented Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Gujarat Lions. Since 2018, Karthik has been with the Knight Riders as he was retained by the franchise ahead of 2021 season, after he gave up captaincy mid-season in 2020.
7. Brendon McCullum - 5
)
The man who started it all in the first place with his blazing 158* against the RCB side in the inaugural match of the IPL, has also represented multiple teams. McCullum after playing for Kolkata Knight Riders for first three years, played for the KTK in one season before being bought back by the KKR. After which he has also represented Gujarat Lions, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018, which was his last season in the IPL as a player.
8. Ashish Nehra - 5
)
Former left-arm fast bowler Ashish Nehra, has also represented the same number of teams as McCullum. Nehra started his IPL career with his home side Delhi, after which he represented Mumbai Indians. Since then, Nehra also played for Pune Warriors, Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
