Most Retained Players In IPL
Loyalty is highly praised by the fans of a team and it is something that depends both on the player and the franchise. Loyal players have a special place in the hearts of the fans, whatever the sport may be. IPL began in the year 2008 and has completed 12 seasons. It has seen players travel from one franchise to others and at the same time, while some players have stuck to their teams. Players who have been playing for one franchise over the years or have spent the majority of their IPL career at a franchise make it to the list for the most retained player in IPL history.
Here’s a list of Most Retained Player In IPL History:
#7 Harbhajan Singh (2008-2017)
Harbhajan Singh is one of the greatest finger spinners to have featured in the IPL. He has been a part of the Mumbai Indians from the inaugural season and was retained until the 2018 edition. Mumbai released him for the 2018 IPL auction. His ability and experience were the factors that influenced CSK to purchase the spinner. Harbhajan was a part of Mumbai Indian for 10 long years and as a result, is seventh on the list for the most retained player in IPL history.
#6 Shaun Marsh (2008-2017)
Shaun Marsh was amongst the players who lit up the inaugural season of the IPL. Marsh won the orange cap for most runs scored in 2008. His 10-year long journey in the IPL saw him feature for the KXIP. His best performances came in his very first season, and post-2008 he did enough for KXIP to retain him. Finally, before the 2008 auction, he was released. Marsh is sixth in the list for the most retained player in IPL history.
#5 Kieron Pollard (2010-present)
Kieron Pollard has been a part of the Mumbai Indians setup since 2010 and has been a key component in their leadership group. Pollard is known for his aggressive batting and humongous sixes as well as for his economical bowling. Pollard is currently the T20 captain of the West Indies. His form in the IPL is on the decline but the franchise has kept their faith on him. He is fifth on the list for the most retained player in IPL history and has a few years still left in him.
#4 Suresh Raina (2008-2015 & 2018-present)
Suresh Raina is termed as IPL’s most consistent batsmen, he has consistently scored over 300 runs in all seasons of IPL. The left-handed batsman has been a core member of CSK alongside others. He has served CSK and their fans for 10 years. CSK was banned for two years and the players had no option but to play for new franchises. His IPL form has always been on the rise and there are very few batsmen in the league who have done it with such consistency.
#3 MS Dhoni (2008-2015 & 2018-present)
CSK’s captain MS Dhoni also had to part ways with the franchise for two years due to the ban imposed on CSK. His love for the franchise was evident during a press conference prior to its return in 2018 season where Dhoni became emotional. Dhoni has been retained by the franchise throughout the different seasons of IPL and has been amongst the costliest retentions. Dhoni is one of the most successful captains in the league winning it 3 times.
#2 Lasith Malinga (2009-present)
Lasith Malinga was not involved in the initial season of the IPL due to injury and was picked by the Mumbai Indians for the 2009 season. Malinga has only represented Mumbai in the IPL and is the all-time highest wicket-taker of IPL. He has 170 wickets to his name. Malinga has been a part of the Mumbai set up for 11 years but has played in only 9 of them. He was their bowling mentor in the 2018 season and in the 2016 season he was ruled out due to a knee injury. He was integral to their success in 2019 and has been retained for the upcoming season.
#1 Virat Kohli (2008-present)
King Kohli has been a part of the RCB setup since the inaugural season and the franchise seems to have made it clear that they will retain him at any cost. He is the costliest player in the league with a fee of INR 17 crores. He started for them as a young prospect and now is their key player as well as their captain. He was given the responsibility to captain the side in 2012. He has a lot of years left in him and he might just remain a one-club man. Kohli has been with RCB for 12 years and is at the top of our list for the most retained player in IPL history.
