IPL 2018: 5 Players whose allegiance has changed after a long time

When IPL burst onto the international scene, it was the first of its kind. Fans were excited to see players from the different countries playing together.

Then, the auctions made it lot more exciting. The shuffling of players among teams, new combinations and strategies every season, keep everyone on their toes.

Amongst all the auctions and trades that have happened over-time in IPL, few players have been a part of a single franchise for a good amount of time. Some of those players, however, will be playing for a new franchise this season.

Let us have a look at such players who will don new jerseys after a long time.

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#5 Harbhajan Singh (Mumbai Indians, 10 seasons)

Harbhajan's association with Mumbai Indians goes all the way back to the inaugural season of the IPL. He was picked by Mumbai Indians in the inaugural auctions and has since, played a vital role in team's performances over the years.

Harbhajan played 133 matches for Mumbai Indians, bagging 127 wickets at a miserly economy rate of 6.96. He even led the team to Champions League win in 2011.

However, the off-spinner was let go by the Mumbai franchise this year. He was, subsequently picked by CSK in the auctions. Harbhajan will bring a lot of experience to the table. He will look forward to pair-up with his ex-captain Dhoni and take CSK to their 3rd IPL triumph.

#4 Ambati Rayudu (Mumbai Indians, 9 seasons)

Rayudu won't be playing for MI in IPLfor the first time.

In 2007, Ambati Rayudu was among the rebel cricketers who joined the Indian Cricket League (ICL). As a result, he was banned from all forms of cricket by BCCI.

In 2009, however, after accepting BCCI's amnesty offer, he was picked by Mumbai Indians. Rayudu, from there on, went on to play for MI till the 10th season of IPL. He played as a middle-order batsman who could also be a part-time wicket-keeper.

Mumbai Indians didn't retain Rayudu this year which meant he was up for grabs in the auctions. He was, subsequently bought by CSK this year and will look to forge the same magic that he forged for MI over the years

#3 Yusuf Pathan (Kolkata Knight Riders, 7 seasons)

Pathan will play for SRH in the upcoming season of IPL.

Yusuf Pathan earned quite a name for himself while playing for the Rajasthan Royals. Pathan is a match-winner in his own rights.

After paying first 3 seasons for RR, Yusuf was bought by KKR in the 4th season of IPL. He has since played 7 seasons for KKR and has been instrumental in KKR's success.

However, his waning form meant that he was let go by KKR after a 7-year association. The explosive batsman was then picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the recent auctions. Playing for SRH, he will look forward to getting back to his hard-hitting days.

#2 Gautam Gambhir (Kolkata Knight Riders, 7 seasons)

Gambhir will lead DD in this season of IPL.

Born in Delhi, Gambhir played all of his domestic cricket for Delhi. Subsequently, he was picked by Delhi Daredevils in the inaugural auctions.

However, DD let him go in the next auctions before the 4th season. He was, then, bought by Kolkata Knight Riders and was handed the captaincy as well.

KKR's fortunes turned drastically under Gambhir. The southpaw led KKR to 2 title triumphs. However, Gambhir decided to not continue with the franchise for the 11th season of IPL. He is back with Daredevils for the upcoming season of the tournament.

#1 Chris Gayle (Royal Challengers Bangalore, 7 seasons)

Gayle will play for KXIP for the first time in this season of IPL.

Chris Gayle is, undoubtedly, the most renowned T20 player in the world. The burly Jamaican has been a crowd puller in T20 leagues around the world.

Surprisingly, Gayle didn't have the best of starts in the IPL. Representing KKR, the left-handed batsman couldn't play any match-winning innings.

However, his fortunes changed when he was picked by RCB mid-season in 2011 as an injury replacement to Dirk Nannes. He helped RCB reach the finals in that season. He has, since, been an integral part of the RCB.

Owing to bad form in the last few seasons, Gayle was let go by the franchise in the recent auctions. He even went unsold on the first day of auctions but was, lastly, bought by KXIP at his base price.