Published By: Saksham Mishra

One man's trash is another man's gold: Players who blossomed after switching IPL franchises

There have been multiple cases when a player who had not been performing well in a particular franchise, seems like a different cricketer altogether as soon as he changes base.

Often, it does not have to do with the change of team, as the player's form itself can alter from season to season. However, having a good support staff and team management that allows you to express yourself always helps.

Here's listing three players who have turned around their fortunes after switching IPL franchises:

KL Rahul

KL Rahul had a rough start to the IPL. In 2013, 2014 and 2015, he averaged 10.00, 20.75 and 28.40 respectively. Rahul began to come to his own in 2016, when playing for RCB, he averaged 44.11, scoring 397 runs from 14 matches.

After Rahul missed out the 2017 season due to a shoulder injury, he was bagged by Kings XI Punjab for INR 11 crore in IPL 2018. Rahul has had a dream run in the IPL since then. He scored 659 runs from 14 matches in IPL 2018 at an average of 54.91 and a strike rate of 158.41.

In 2019 as well, Rahul averaged over 50, though his strike rate dropped to 135.38. The Kings XI Punjab skipper has started off IPL 2020 at a brilliant note and struck the highest score ever, both by an Indian batsman and an IPL captain, in just his second match of IPL 2020.

Jos Buttler 

Jos Buttler played for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2016 and 2017 and averaged 23.18 and 27.20 respectively. He was then picked by Rajasthan Royals and showed his class with 548 runs in IPL 2018 at an average of close to 55 and a strike rate of over 150.

In IPL 2018 and 2019 combined, Buttler has scored 859 runs. He has now become a mainstay for Rajasthan at the top of the order.

Shane Watson

Shane Watson's IPL career is a case study in itself. The all-rounder was brilliant for Rajasthan Royals till 2015. In 2016, he could not fire with the bat but had a decent season with the ball. However, in 2017, he was completely off colour.

Watson was picked by Chennai Super Kings in 2018 and blasted 555 runs in the season at an average of close to 40 and a strike rate of nearly 155. He has been a vital player for Chennai ever since.