Stats: Top 5 Players to play most matches for a single team in IPL

After a tantalizing halt of 140 days, the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is back. Two of the most successful IPL teams, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians took the field in the first game of the UAE leg as fans were left delighted. With both teams studded with T20 stars, the ‘clash of the titans’ was much-awaited.

Mumbai Indians pacer Jasprit Bumrah is one of the many players to watch out for in the game. After all, he’s arguably the best white-ball bowler going around. Interestingly, the right-arm speedster achieved a significant milestone even before taking the field. As stand-in Mumbai Indians captain Kieron Pollard confirmed Bumrah’s presence in the playing XI, Bumrah became the sixth player to play 100 matches for MI.

Making his IPL debut in 2013, Bumrah burst onto the scenes with his unorthodox action and ability to bring the ball in sharply. If one may call, his first over in Mumbai Indians colours was a thrilling one. After getting smashed for three boundaries by RCB skipper Virat Kohli, Bumrah bowled a brilliant inswinger and trapped the talismanic batter in front of the stumps.

Although he took three wickets in his first IPL game, he couldn’t deliver consistently in the first couple of seasons. However, a brilliant home season in 2015-16 earned Bumrah a maiden Team India cap and what happened next is hidden from none. He delivered one lethal spell after another in national colours and made a name for himself.

Bumrah also became a force to reckon with in the IPL. With Lasith Malinga losing his sheen with time, the Gujarat-born pacer took over the baton and lived up to the expectations. He even played an instrumental role in taking MI to glory in 2017, 2019, and 2020. With Bumrah being just 17, a lot of gas is left in this tank and the MI team management would want him to shine in the UAE leg.

Meanwhile, among the players who have played for just one IPL franchise, Bumrah holds the fifth spot. Besides the Indian pacer, Kieron Pollard and Lasith Malinga have also only played for Mumbai Indians. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Sunil Narine are the other two on the list.

Top 5 players who represented only one franchise in IPL: