IPL 2022: Unlike football, team loyalties in IPL is hard to come by. Not everyone is Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni who will stick to their franchises in thick and thin. The likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Rashid Khan or Hardik Pandya have proved that. On Friday, Lasith Malinga became another high-profile player who snubbed his former franchise only to join rivals, albeit as a COACH. Follow IPL 2022 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Lasith Malinga was known as a one-team player. He played 122 matches for Mumbai Indians, scalping 170 wickets from 2009 to 2019. However, to everyone’s surprise, the MI legend joined rival Rajasthan Royals as a fast-bowling coach ahead of IPL 2022 campaign. But he is not alone. InsideSport takes a look at players who have snubbed their franchises for another in IPL.
IPL 2022: From Lasith Malinga to Rashid Khan, 5 IPL franchise legends who switched allegiance – Check full list
Lasith Malinga (MI legend to RR coach): March 11 will be a sad day for Mumbai Paltans. Lasith Malinga was the only overseas player to play for one franchise. He did play for just one franchise but the fans will still feel betrayed as the Sri Lankan fast-bowling legend joined Rajasthan Royals as the bowling coach.
*𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥*
Lasith Malinga. IPL. Pink. 💗#RoyalsFamily | #TATAIPL2022 | @ninety9sl pic.twitter.com/p6lS3PtlI3
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 11, 2022
IPL 2022: From Lasith Malinga to Rashid Khan, 5 IPL franchise legends who switched allegiance – Check full list
Hardik Pandya (MI to GT captain): An uncut diamond who was polished by Mumbai Indians. Hardik Pandya is one of the best examples of MI scouting and gave him the platform to catapult to the national team. But the all-rounder left the team ahead of the IPL 2022 Auctions only to join new franchise Gujarat Titans. He will in fact lead the team in IPL 2022.
IPL 2022: From Lasith Malinga to Rashid Khan, 5 IPL franchise legends who switched allegiance – Check full list
Rashid Khan (SRH to GT): After a disastrous season, Sunrisers Hyderabad made a series of poor decisions and one of the worst was to let Rashid Khan leave. While SRH tried their best, the Afghan spinner left for Gujarat Titans for a better salary package, betraying the fans.
IPL 2022: From Lasith Malinga to Rashid Khan, 5 IPL franchise legends who switched allegiance – Check full list
Ravindra Jadeja (RR to KTK): Ravindra Jadeja was first official story of betrayal. While he may be a CSK legend and a future captain after MS Dhoni passes the baton, in 2010, he was suspended for Royal betrayal. He was found negotiating with other franchises while still in contract with RR. After suspension, he moved to Kochi Tuskers Kerala before finding his home in Chennai Super Kings.
IPL 2022: From Lasith Malinga to Rashid Khan, 5 IPL franchise legends who switched allegiance – Check full list
Rahul Dravid (RCB to RR): It wasn’t Rahul Dravid’s fault but nobody in their right mind ever imagined Rahul Dravid to don another jersey other than Royal Challenger Bangalore’s/ But RCB released him ahead of IPL 2011. He joined Rajasthan Royals, became a captain and later a coach with success with the bat. It was RCB who betrayed the Wall and not the other way around. But Dravid too had switched his allegiance.
IPL 2022: From Lasith Malinga to Rashid Khan, 5 IPL franchise legends who switched allegiance – Check full list
David Warner (SRH to DC): Another captain, another betrayal. Having led the team to their first-ever title, nobody ever thought David Warner will don another jersey. He was an SRH icon with a great relationship with the fans. However, differences of opinions and poor team management saw the most consistent player of IPL leave without any grace. At the auction, he was picked up by Delhi Capitals and he will aim to take revenge against his old franchise come IPL 2022.
IPL 2022: From Lasith Malinga to Rashid Khan, 5 IPL franchise legends who switched allegiance – Check full list