IPL: 5 Former CSK players who excelled for other franchises

Mohit Sharma. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have got the services of several illustrious names in their 16-year Indian Premier League (IPL) history. Legends such as Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Dwayne Bravo, and Suresh Raina were essential members of the side in the past. 

These renowned names served the team for a long time and played their final season in CSK colours but there are also some players who have rejoined other teams after leaving Chennai and performed exceptionally for their new franchise. Taking this discussion ahead, let’s know five former CSK stalwarts who performed efficiently for other franchises.

Here are five former CSK stalwarts who shone for other teams

5. Mohit Sharma

Mohit Sharma became a member of Gujarat Titans (GT) in 2023 and he justified his role in the team with his extraordinary bowling performance. With 27 wickets in 14 matches at an economy of 8.17, he ended up as the second-leading wicket-taker in the competition.

From 2013-15, the pacer was also associated with Super Kings, and in 2014, he also became the Purple Cap winner with 23 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 8.39. After the 2014 season, there was a decline in his performance but in 2023, he showcased his bowling mettle and received appreciation for his excellent work.

4. Mark Wood

England pacer Mark Wood began his IPL career with CSK in 2018 but in his debut season, he got only one game from the team management. Amidst the competition, he left the CSK camp and flew back to his own country. In November 2018, Super Kings parted ways with him.

In the 2022 IPL auction, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) splurged INR 7.5 crore from their purse and reserved Wood’s services. However, he picked up an elbow injury and got ruled out of the competition. In 2023, he played four games for Lucknow and scalped 11 wickets at an economy of 8.12. Noting his magnificent bowling show, Super Giants have retained him for the 2024 season.

3. Piyush Chawla

In 2020, CSK handed the leg-break bowler Piyush Chawla the responsibility to serve their spin-bowling unit. Donning CSK’s jersey, he appeared in seven games and took only six wickets at an expensive economy of 9.09. Noting his non-performance, CSK released him before the 2021 IPL auction. 

In the 2023 IPL auction, Mumbai Indians (MI) signed up Chawla for his base amount of INR 50 lakh. The leggie did his job superbly, putting up blockbuster bowling shows. With 22 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 8.11, he ended up as the third-highest wicket-taker in the season.

2. Josh Hazlewood

Australia paceman Josh Hazlewood kicked off his IPL career in CSK in 2020. The pacer played only three games in the season and got only one wicket. In 2021, Chennai lifted their fourth IPL trophy and the Aussie contributed 11 wickets in nine matches at an economy of 8.37. 

Following the 2021 season, CSK didn’t retain the veteran speedster, and at the 2022 auction in Bengaluru, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) snapped him up for a sum of INR 7.75 crore. Hazlewood justified his price tag in the competition, grabbing 20 wickets in 12 matches at an economy of 8.10.

1. Faf du Plessis

Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis was associated with CSK for 10 years from 2011 to 2021. In those years, he played 100 games for the franchise and accumulated 2932 runs with 21 fifties in 93 innings. In Chennai’s fourth title victory, the Protea stalwart played an instrumental role, notching up 633 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 138.20.

After the 2021 season, CSK released du Plessis as the franchise could retain only four players before the 2022 mega auction. At the business event, RCB fetched the star Protea batter for INR 7 crore. Currently, he is the skipper of Challengers and under his leadership, the team also qualified for the playoffs in 2022.

In the last two seasons, he was the highest run-getter for Bangalore. Making his RCB debut in 2022, he scored 468 runs in 16 matches while in 2023, he hit 730 runs in 14 matches at a marvellous strike rate of 153.68 and ended up as the second-leading run-getter in the season.