IPL 2018: Players separated from their long-term teams
2018 was expected to cause a major stir in the Indian Premier League. Ten years of the glamorous league had been played out and fresh auctions were to be conducted for the eleventh season. After a lot of deliberation, it was decided that each team would be allowed to retain a certain number of players.
Nevertheless, the 2018 auction saw one of the biggest shake-ups in the history of the league as some big names were separated from their long-term franchise.
Let us take a look at five players who were with the same franchise for a long duration of time only to be drafted into a new one for the upcoming season.
#5 Chris Gayle
When the words 'Chris Gayle' are uttered in India, the big man in red and gold hitting a majestic six into the electric crowd at Chinnaswamy comes to mind. Such has been his contribution to the Bangalore franchise that it is hard to recollect Gayle wearing the black and gold of the Knight Riders.
The West Indian joined the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2011 as a replacement for injured Dirk Nannes. This 'replacement' turned out to be the most destructive force in IPL history. It was a story written in the stars.
Which other man could plunder 175 runs in 66 balls? In what was an unbelievable transformation, Gayle went on to win two consecutive orange caps in 2011 and 2012, and finish second highest run-getter in 2013.
The big man has scored five scintillating centuries and has produced so many more memorable knocks. He has always kept the Chinnaswamy crowd up on their feet.
Gayle will now feature for the Kings XI Punjab and RCB fans are already dreading it. They can't imagine the big man play in any colour apart from their characteristic red and gold.