Virat Kohli, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine are a few big names who have only ever played for one IPL franchise. But what about those at the other end of the spectrum?

We’ve put together an XI of players who have each played for at least five different IPL franchises.

Parthiv Patel (wk)

CSK, DCa, KTK, MI, SH

Patel was a bit-part member of the first Chennai Super Kings title-winning side but featured more regularly when winning the tournament with Mumbai Indians in both 2015 and 2017, his quick runs at the top of the order helping the franchise to their second and third IPL titles.

Brendon McCullum

KKR, RCB, CSK, KTK, GL

A staple of the IPL’s first 11 editions, McCullum’s playing career spanned five franchises, with his introduction to the tournament a memorable one. In the inaugural match of the first IPL, McCullum blitzed an unbeaten 158 off just 73 balls for Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bangalore, another franchise he would go on to eventually represent.

Aaron Finch

DD, GL, KP, MI, PW, RR, RCB, SH

The leading journeyman in this side, Finch – who went unsold in the last IPL auction – has represented eight franchise sides, beginning back in 2010 with Rajasthan Royals and most recently featuring for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2020. His most productive spells came with sides who no longer exist: he captained Pune Warriors in 2013 and averaged just under 40 for Gujarat Lions in 2016.

Robin Uthappa

KKR, MI, PW, RR, RCB

An appearance at this year’s IPL will make Uthappa one of a handful of players to have played for six different franchises. He is probably most well-remembered for his time with Kolkata Knight Riders, for whom he averaged 44 with the bat when they won the tournament in 2014.

Manish Pandey

KKR, MI, PW, RCB, SH

Pandey first came to attention at the 2009 IPL as a 19-year-old, hitting an unbeaten century against Deccan Chargers. He later went on to win the tournament with KKR in 2014, his 50-ball 94 in the final against Kings XI Punjab landing him the Player of the Match award.

Yuvraj Singh

DD, KP, MI, PW, RCB, SH

An Indian white-ball great, Yuvraj was unable to establish the same legacy in the IPL, but he did play a crucial hand for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final of the 2016 tournament, hitting 38 off 23 balls to help the franchise to their first title.

Dinesh Karthik

DD, GL, KKR, KP, MI, RCB

An IPL winner with Mumbai in 2013, Karthik’s finest season came in 2018 with KKR. While his side fell just one win short of reaching the tournament final, the India batsman excelled with an average of 49.80 and strike rate just under 150.

Thisara Perera

MI, CSK, KP, KTK, RPS, SH

Despite playing for six franchises, Perera has only played five or more games for two sides: Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rising Pune Supergiants. It was with the former that the Sri Lanka all-rounder had his best season for the side, averaging 23.30 with the bat in 2013 and taking 19 wickets at 25.15.

Irfan Pathan

DD, KP, GL, RPS, SH

A World T20 winner with India in 2007, Pathan’s greatest years as an IPL player were with Kings XI Punjab, where he averaged 25.12 with the bat and 24.80 with the ball. His left-arm swing bowling faltered elsewhere, however, and he was unable to claim any wickets for Gujarat Lions and Rising Pune Supergiants.

Ishant Sharma

DCa, DCh, KP, KKR, RPS, SH

More well-renowned for his work with the red ball, Ishant has moved around and struggled to be in the thick of it when it comes to the IPL. Since 2013, he has only had one season where he has played more than six games, though it was a respectable campaign from the beanpole quick: he took 13 wickets in 13 matches for Delhi Capitals in 2019 at an average of 26.84.

Praveen Kumar

GL, KP, MI, RCB, SH

A fine swing bowler who impressed in his brief Test career, Kumar was unable to replicate that success in the IPL, with his 119 matches resulting in 90 wickets at an average of 36.12.

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