IPL: 10 cricketers who were backed by franchises and later turned superstars

Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI and Twitter)

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has elevated the standards of international cricket with its top-notch services to cricket fans for years. Back in 2008, when the marquee league was launched, it attracted a lot of eyes due to its amazing franchise-style cricket. After more than 15 years of journey, some franchises have done excellent work in the tournament. 

In the last 15 years, the league produced a lot of superstars and this has been possible due to the diligence of these players. Behind the success of some players, the unwavering support of their franchises has also played a crucial role. Relying on the talent and backing from their franchises, they performed exceptionally in the T20 tournament and went on to become huge figures in the league and international cricket.

Here are 10 cricketers who became superstars after receiving steady support from their respective franchises

10. Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson (Photo Source : BCCI/IPL)

Sanju Samson is currently one of the star players in the cash-rich T20 tournament. After years of diligence and perseverance, he has earned a lot of fans. Back in 2013, Rajasthan Royals (RR) picked the then 18-year-old Samson to get his service in the sixth edition of the league. In his debut season, he got 11 games, in which he scored 206 runs with a half-century. Witnessing his talent, Royals retained him till 2015.

After serving Delhi Capitals (DC) for a couple of years, he returned to RR in 2018. This time, Samson looked more confident as he chipped in with 441 runs in 15 matches in his team’s journey till Playoffs. With these figures, he also ended up as the second-leading run-scorer for the team. 

In 2021, Royals rewarded Samson with the captaincy mantle for his excellent services to the team. Under his leadership, RR appeared in the finals of the tournament after 14 years in 2022. In the league, Samson is an impactful player and in the upcoming years, the RR veteran could become the next big thing for India in the international circuit as well.

9. Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Ishan Kishan hit the headlines after leading the India Under-19 team to the final of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2016. After the competition, Gujarat Lions (GL) signed him up and the youngster served the franchise in the 2016 and 2017 seasons. In 2018, Mumbai Indians (MI) bought him at the auction to acquire his services.

In his maiden season for MI, Kishan put up a decent show with his bat, scoring 275 runs with a couple of half-centuries in 14 matches. In 2020, his best came in the league as he ended up as the leading run-scorer for MI and powered the team with 516 runs in 14 matches, at a stellar strike rate of 145.76. 

After the 2021 IPL, MI couldn’t retain the youngster but in the 2022 IPL auction, the five-time IPL champions splurged a hefty sum of INR 15.25 crore to get him back. Currently, the southpaw is an integral part of Mumbai as he serves the team with his wicketkeeping and batting potential. 

8. Shaun Marsh

Shaun Marsh. (Photo Source: Twitter)

In 2008, Shaun Marsh wreaked havoc on the field with his incredible batting skills. Representing Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the maiden edition of the tournament, he strengthened his team with his phenomenal batting shows. Racking up 616 runs with five fifties and a century in 11 matches, he became the first recipient of Orange Cap.

His success in the league made him famous in the cricketing world and the left-handed batter got a chance to make his T20 International debut for Australia during his team’s tour of the West Indies in 2008. After the marvellous batting show in the IPL 2008, he couldn’t participate in the next edition of the league. In 2011, Punjab brought him back to their team through the mega auction, and in return, he again outclassed bowlers with his power-hitting ability.

This time, he smashed 504 runs with four half-centuries in 14 matches at a superb strike rate of 146.51. Talking about his international career, the West Australia-born cricketer couldn’t make it big in the international circuit as he could gather 255 runs in 15 matches at a dismal strike rate of 102.82. However, his blockbuster IPL performances still reside in the minds of a lot of cricket supporters.

7. Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Rishabh Pant broke into international cricket in 2017, with his T20I debut against England, but he became a notable name in the cricketing circle due to his glorifying batting numbers in the IPL. In 2016, the left-handed batter joined DC and soon became a vital part of DC’s camp.

In his second IPL season, he slammed 366 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 165.61 and became the second-highest run-getter for the team. In 2018, Pant ended up as the second-leading run-scorer in the tournament with 684 runs in 14 matches at an extraordinary strike rate of 173.60.

With his brilliant batting displays, the 25-year-old won the trust of the team management. In 2021, Capitals appointed him the duty to lead the team, looking at their future ahead. Since 2016, Pant is a DC stalwart and has proven his loyalty with his bat several times. Currently, he is the top-scorer for the 2020 IPL runners-up with 2838 runs in 98 matches at a fine strike rate of 147.96.

6. Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravi Ashwin. (Photo Source: Twitter)

In 2010, Ravichandran Ashwin became Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) key player for his top-notch services to the team in their maiden title triumph. The right-arm off-spinner took 13 wickets in 12 matches and ended his season becoming the joint-second leading wicket-taker for the team with Shadab Jakati. Following his performance in the league, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) gave him a chance to don the national jersey.  

In June 2010, the 23-year-old made his debut for India against Sri Lanka in Harare. Since then, he is active in international cricket for India and the veteran is now counted among the most successful spinners ever produced by the nation. In 2011, India won the second ODI World Cup title, and Ashwin was one of the important members of the team who made a crucial contribution (2/52 in 10 overs) with the ball in the quarter-final match against Australia.

After the impressive World Cup campaign for the nation, he joined CSK for the fourth IPL installment. This time, the flamboyant spinner became the most successful bowler for the team in the season with 20 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 6.15. The veteran last played for Super Kings in the 2015 season.

5. Shane Watson

Shane Watson. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Shane Watson is counted among the legendary all-rounders in world cricket. Riding on some of his unprecedented performances, the Australian cricket team pocketed many matches. However, the dynamic Australian player’s career saw a huge plunge after the 2007 World Cup.

In 2008, IPL started with a bang and Watson was sold to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the maiden auction of the league. Grabbing this golden opportunity, the Aussie player showcased his magnificent all-round performance in the tournament to help his team lift the trophy. Notching up 472 runs and 17 wickets in 15 matches, he emerged as an impactful performer for the franchise.

The remarkable IPL season for RR revived the veteran’s career as he returned to the Australian team with confidence. On the other side, he also became an indispensable part of Royals after his heroics for the team in the maiden season. In his association with the franchise till 2015, the veteran got retained every season despite ups and downs.

4. Sunil Narine

Sunil Narine. (Photo Source: ILT20)

Sunil Narine is a huge name in the T20 format due to his incredible bowling skills. In 2012, he made his international debut for the West Indies against Australia, but his talent attracted the eyes in the fifth edition of IPL. Playing his debut league season for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), he wreaked havoc on batters with his right-arm off-break spin bowling.

Clinching 24 wickets in 15 matches at an economy of 5.47, he played an instrumental role in KKR’s maiden title triumph. Considering his performance in the T20 league, Cricket West Indies (CWI) gave him more chances in the West Indies T20I team. After a few months of IPL, he delivered another heroic performance with the ball.

This time, he grabbed nine wickets in seven matches of the T20 World Cup 2012 and became the joint-highest wicket-taker with Ravi Rampaul, in his team’s phenomenal success in the competition. In the cash-rich IPL, he is a humongous figure in KKR due to his excellent contributions to the team. The veteran is still active with the two-time IPL champions and in recent years, he has also contributed with his bat in critical occasions. 

3. Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav. (Photo Source: IPL)

Suryakumar Yadav is ruling T20 cricket with his exceptional batting capability. In recent years, his diligence and perseverance produced a fruitful result and now he is the number one T20I batter. However, his journey to success took a lot of years and during this period, he proved himself a lot of times in the high-profile IPL.

After rendering his services to KKR from 2014-17, the dashing right-handed batter moved to MI in 2018. Playing his debut season for the franchise, he looked dominant against bowlers and chalked up 512 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 133.33. With these amazing figures, he also became the top run-scorer for MI in the season.

After the breathtaking display in 2018, the Mumbai player continued his form in the 2019 and 2020 IPL editions. Following his outstanding batting displays in the league, the BCCI included him in the national squad in 2021. While talking about his present position in MI, the dasher plays an important role in the MI line-up with his batting in the middle order.

2. Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina. (Photo Source: Twitter)

When the IPL came into the picture in 2008, some players who had been struggling took it as an opportunity to stabilise their careers. Among many struggling names, Suresh Raina was also the one who was looking to make a comeback in the Indian team. For the southpaw, the IPL became a perfect stage to showcase his best and knock on the doors for the national squad.

Donning the yellow jersey for CSK, Raina produced some decent knocks with his bat. Smashing 421 runs with three fifties in 16 matches at a strike rate of 142.22, he became the highest run-getter for Super Kings. His brilliant display for the franchise in the tournament brought positive results and he succeeded in returning to the national line-up.

Raina’s association with CSK lasted for more than 13 years as the veteran got released by four-time IPL champions after the 2021 IPL installment. In his 14-year long IPL career, he gave 11 seasons to CSK and during this period, he piled up 5529 runs for the Yellow Army in 200 contests at a strike rate of 138.91. With these colossal numbers, he is still the most successful batter for the franchise.

1. Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Jasprit Bumrah is considered the most successful pacer in the international circuit. After years of hard work, the 29-year-old has emerged as the backbone of India’s bowling attack. However, prior to his international debut, he was active in IPL for Mumbai Indians (MI). In 2013, he played his maiden IPL match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and took Virat Kohli’s wicket.

Emboldened with Kohli’s wicket, the speedster also hunted Mayanak Agarwal and Karun Nair. With a 3/32 spell in the debut IPL game, Bumrah grabbed the attention but couldn’t showcase his best in further seasons. However, during his struggle, MI didn’t lose faith in him by including him in their squad.

After making his international debut in 2016, the veteran featured in the MI’s 2016 IPL squad. This time, he looked ferocious with the ball and fetched 15 wickets in 14 matches at an economy of 7.80. Currently, he is the second-highest wicket-taker for the franchise with 145 wickets in 120 matches at an economy of 7.39.