IPL 2025: 3 players who returned to their former franchise

Trent Boult (Photo Source: X (Twitter)

The 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League mega-auction saw multiple homecomings. In a 10-team tournament, it is quite usual that players would return to their former franchises, as happened with Gautam Gambhir, Sanju Samson and Hardik Pandya among others in the past and it happened with many others in the mega-auction. It was a season of reunions and here are examples of three players who returned to former teams this season:

3. Ravichandran Ashwin

R Ashwin. (Source:X/Twitter)

Ravichandran Ashwin will play for Chennai Super Kings after eight years. He joined the franchise in 2009 and played 97 matches for the team before joining Rising Pune Supergiants in 2016. During this time, he picked up 90 wickets and was one of the biggest match-winners for the team, winning the championship twice in 2010 and 2011.

Chennai signed Ashwin for a whopping INR 9.75 crore in the auction. The five-time champions were keen to get the off-spinner back on board and were the first team to raise the padel. Lucknow Super Giants and Rajasthan Royals were heavily interested in the player as well but Chennai outpowered other teams to sign him back.

The 38-year-old was overjoyed upon returning to Chennai, where he started his IPL journey and got into the national team. He will be reuniting with legendary MS Dhoni and stated to be waiting to play under Ruturaj Gaikwad and fight for the sixth title in the IPL.

Also Check – IPL 2025 Auction: 5 players who deserved higher bids

2. Trent Boult

Trent Boult ( Photo source : X / Twitter )

Much before the IPL auction, there were reports of Trent Boult reuniting with Mumbai Indians. The New Zealand international was phenomenal for the team in the 2020 and 2021 seasons, picking up 28 wickets in 29 games. He played a vital role in MI’s championship campaign in the 2020 season, picking up 25 wickets. The 35-year-old was expected to be retained ahead of the next edition but Mumbai decided against it.

Later, he joined Rajasthan Royals, where he spent three seasons and picked up 45 wickets in 42 games. He was sensational with the new ball and that’s one of the primary reasons Mumbai wanted to sign him in the mega-auction. Notably, Lucknow Super Giants and Rajasthan started the bidding war and after the prior’s exit, Mumbai joined the race and eventually signed him for INR 12.50 crore.

Boult will be partnering with Jasprit Bumrah and Deepak Chahar and the trio can wreak havoc in the upcoming edition of the IPL 2025. Bout and Chahar can prove to be deadly with the new ball and later, Bumrah can take care of the death. Overall, Mumbai have built a strong unit that can help them win their sixth championship.

Also Check – IPL 2025: 3 teams that overspent on players in auction

1. Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell 2016. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Punjab Kings and Glenn Maxwell are a match made in heaven. The Australia international started his IPL journey with Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) and later played for Mumbai Indians for a season before joining Punjab for the first time in 2014. He wreaked havoc in his debut season for the franchise, smashing 552 runs in 16 games, taking the team to the final of the competition, where Punjab lost to Kolkata Knight Riders.

The all-rounder was part of the squad in the 2015, 2016 and 2017 editions as well but the Australia international wasn’t very effective, leading to his release ahead of the 2018 mega-auction. He joined DC that season, before making his return to PBKS once again. In that season, Maxwell made 108 runs in 13 matches, leading to his release.

He played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the next four seasons and was very effective in the beginning but failed to live up to the expectations in 2024, scoring only 52 runs in 10 matches. He was released and it was once again Punjab that signed him in the auction. This time for INR 4.20 crore. Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings were interested in him as well but Punjab got their ‘Big-Show’ back.