The Indian Premier League (IPL), initiated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2008, has evolved into a global cricketing extravaganza. The league, introduced to capitalize on the soaring popularity of T20 cricket post India’s triumph in the 2007 T20 World Cup, has witnessed significant growth, becoming one of the wealthiest sports leagues worldwide. Bollywood luminaries such as Juhi Chawla, Preity Zinta, and Shahrukh Khan, who own IPL franchises, have contributed to the league’s expansion. In this article, we delve into the remarkable journey of IPL, tracing its development over 17 seasons and highlighting ten players who have been part of the league since its inception in 2008 and are set to grace the field again in the 2024 season.
MS Dhoni: The Iconic Captain
Player Overview:
One of the most iconic figures in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Mahendra Singh Dhoni, commonly known as MS Dhoni, made his debut in the inaugural 2008 season. Hailing from Jharkhand, Dhoni is renowned for his calm demeanor on the field, astute captaincy, and remarkable finishing skills.
He’s the main player for the CSK team and one of the most important players in the IPL. After 16 years, Dhoni is going to captain his team again in the 2024 IPL season. This is probably going to be his last time playing in the profitable T20 league.
Achievements:
- Chennai Super Kings Captaincy: Led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to five IPL championships (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023).
- Rising Pune Supergiants Stint: Captained the Rising Pune Supergiants in 2016 and 2017 when CSK was banned.
- CSK’s Defensive Anchor: Played a pivotal role in CSK’s successes, contributing as a batsman, wicketkeeper, and captain.
- Historic 2007 T20 World Cup Success: The captaincy stint began after Dhoni led India to victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007.
Virat Kohli: The Run-Machine
Player Overview:
Virat Kohli, one of the modern-day batting maestros, entered the IPL scene in 2008. His aggressive style, impeccable technique, and consistent run-scoring ability have made him a stalwart in the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) lineup.
He is the face of the RCB team and has led the franchise from 2013 to 2021. Kohli had a phenomenal season in IPL 2016 where he scored a record-shattering 973 runs from 16 games at an average of 81.08 along with 4 hundreds.
Achievements:
- RCB Run-Machine: Holds the record for the all-time highest run-scorer in IPL history.
- U-19 World Cup Triumph: Kohli’s leadership skills were evident when he captained the U-19 Indian team to World Cup victory in Malaysia before joining the IPL.
- RCB Captaincy: Served as the captain of RCB from 2013 to 2021.
- Record-Breaking Season (2016): Amassed 973 runs from 16 matches at an average of 81.08, including four centuries, in the 2016 season.
Rohit Sharma: The Victorious Captain
Player Overview:
Rohit Sharma, an elegant right-handed batsman, made his IPL debut in 2009 with Deccan Chargers. Over the years, he has become synonymous with Mumbai Indians (MI), leading them to multiple championships.
Rohit will continue to play in the 2024 IPL as a part of Mumbai Indians, who have retained Hardik Pandya as their new captain for the upcoming season of the league.
Achievements:
- MI Captaincy: Took over as the captain of MI in the midseason of 2013, leading them to titles in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020.
- Hat Trick in 2009: Showcased his all-round skills with a hat trick against Mumbai Indians in the 2009 season.
- Consistent Performer: Contributed significantly with both bat and leadership skills throughout his IPL career.
Ravindra Jadeja: The All-Round Dynamo
Player Overview:
Ravindra Jadeja, known for his dynamic all-round abilities, emerged from the 2008 U-19 World Cup-winning squad. He was picked up by Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural IPL season.
He has given us some unforgettable moments with both his bowling and batting in his IPL career. Now, he aims for another memorable season in the 2024 IPL.
Achievements:
- CSK’s Vital Asset: Instrumental in Chennai Super Kings’ title-winning campaigns in 2018, 2021, and 2023.
- Memorable Performances: Contributed with both bat and ball, showcasing his versatility as an all-rounder.
- 2008 U-19 World Cup: Part of the victorious U-19 Indian team in 2008.
Shikhar Dhawan: The Consistent Performer
Player Overview:
Shikhar Dhawan, a seasoned campaigner in the IPL, has been a part of various franchises, showcasing his prolific left-handed batting skills.
He’s been part of different IPL teams like Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings, Deccan Chargers, and Delhi Capitals. He won an IPL title with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016. Now, he’s set to lead Punjab Kings in the 2024 IPL, aiming to help them win their first-ever title.
Achievements:
- Second-Highest Run-Scorer: Currently the second-highest run-scorer in IPL history, with 6617 runs.
- IPL Title with Sunrisers Hyderabad: Won the IPL title with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016.
- Punjab Kings Leadership: Set to lead Punjab Kings in the 2024 season, aiming to guide them to their maiden title.
Ravichandran Ashwin: The Spin Maestro
Player Overview:
Ravichandran Ashwin, an expert Indian spinner, made his IPL debut with CSK in 2008. His crafty spin bowling and valuable contributions with the bat make him a sought-after player.
He played for CSK until 2015, winning titles in 2010 and 2011. After that, he joined teams like Rising Pune Supergiants, Rajasthan Royals, and Punjab Kings. Now, he’s getting ready to play his third straight season with Rajasthan Royals in the 2024 IPL.
Achievements:
- CSK Title Wins: Played a crucial role in Chennai Super Kings’ title wins in 2010 and 2011.
- Versatile Bowling Style: Adapted to different franchises, representing Rising Pune Supergiants, Rajasthan Royals, and Punjab Kings.
- Consistent Performer: Known for delivering reliable performances with the ball throughout his IPL career.
Manish Pandey: The Versatile Batsman
Player Overview:
Manish Pandey, a young talent discovered post the 2008 U-19 World Cup, made his IPL debut with Mumbai Indians. Over the years, he has been a versatile batsman for various franchises.
He made history as the first Indian to score a century in the lucrative league, hitting an unbeaten 114 runs against DC while playing for RCB in the 2009 IPL match in Centurion. He was also a crucial part of KKR’s title win in 2014, earning the Player of the Match award for his decisive 94-run innings in the final against Kings XI Punjab. Now, Pandey is gearing up to play for the KKR team once more in his 17th consecutive season in the 2024 IPL.
Achievements:
- Century in 2009: Became the first Indian to score a century in the IPL, playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
- KKR’s Title in 2014: Instrumental in Kolkata Knight Riders’ title-winning campaign in 2014.
- Consistency Across Teams: Played for multiple franchises, showcasing his adaptability and consistent performances.
Ishant Sharma: The Seasoned Pacer
Player Overview:
Ishant Sharma, an experienced Indian fast bowler, entered the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2008. His ability to generate pace and movement has made him a valuable asset.
After that, he played for DC, Rising Pune Supergiants, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Punjab Kings. Delhi Capitals have kept him in their team for the 2024 IPL. He will be the main fast bowler for the team in the upcoming season.
Achievements:
- Consistent IPL Stints: Represented various franchises, including Delhi Capitals, Rising Pune Supergiants, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Punjab Kings.
- Pace Spearhead: Retained by Delhi Capitals for the 2024 IPL, expected to lead the pace attack.
- Longevity: Set to play his 17th consecutive IPL season in 2024, highlighting his durability in the league.
Ajinkya Rahane: The Experienced Campaigner
Player Overview:
Ajinkya Rahane, an experienced campaigner, made his IPL debut with Mumbai Indians in 2008. Over the years, he has been a reliable batsman for various franchises.
After a few seasons, he joined RR and even led the team many times. Apart from that, he played for DC, Rising Pune Supergiants, KKR, and CSK. CSK has retained him for the 17th edition. In the 2023 IPL, he had a remarkable season, scoring 326 runs in 14 matches with an average of 32.60 and a great strike rate of 172.49. He also won his first IPL title as a player in that season.
Achievements:
- CSK Success in 2023: Played a crucial role in Chennai Super Kings’ title-winning campaign in 2023.
- Versatile Team Participation: Represented multiple franchises, including RR, DC, Rising Pune Supergiants, KKR, and CSK.
- CSK Retention: Retained by CSK for the 17th edition, expected to contribute significantly to the team’s success.
Piyush Chawla: The Resilient Spinner
Player Overview:
Piyush Chawla, an experienced spinner, made his debut in the inaugural 2008 IPL season with Punjab Kings. Known for his crafty leg-spin, Chawla has been a consistent performer in the league.
He spent six years playing for KKR and later joined CSK in the 2020 tournament. Unfortunately, he didn’t have a great season that year and was picked up by MI for the 2021 tournament. Chawla had his best IPL season, taking 22 wickets in 16 matches for MI. Now, he’s ready to play once again in the 2024 IPL edition.
Achievements:
- KKR Title Win: Won his first IPL title as a player with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014.
- MI’s Memorable Season (2021): Delivered standout performances with 22 wickets in 16 matches for Mumbai Indians.
- Consistent IPL Presence: A resilient force, Chawla continues to be a vital part of the IPL, set to play in the 2024 edition.
