The Indian cricket board’s hottest property, the Indian Premier League, has seen 13 complete seasons. It has been replete with entertainment, nail-biting finishes and has been thoroughly enjoyed by the fans. In the 14th season, Chennai and Kolkata have made it to the finals and we can expect an enthralling final.
Both Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders have won the IPL trophy multiple times. Chennai has been the recipient of the trophy 3 times whereas Kolkata has lifted the trophy twice. The teams have also made it to the finals multiple times. Chennai holds the record of making it to the finals most number of times in IPL history. However, there are teams like Punjab, Bangalore, and Delhi who are yet to win the IPL. Rajasthan Royals too, have not won the trophy after winning it the first time in 2008.
Players in these franchises who have remained loyal to the franchise have also not had the chance to lift the trophy. We look at 5 players who have played the maximum number of IPL games without winning the trophy even once.
1. Virat Kohli
The Royal Challengers Bangalore seem to have had cursed luck which is not looking to end. Kohli has been a part of the franchise since its inception and played 207 games up until now. However, in all these years It has lost in play-offs 7 times. In 2009 and 2017, it made it to the finals but lost both times to different franchises of Hyderabad. It lost to Deccan Chargers in 2009 by 6 runs in a close contest. In a similar fate of events, in 2016 it was inches away from an IPL trophy but lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad by 8 runs.
2. AB De Villiers
Kohli’s teammate at Bangalore has ridden the same luck with him. he played for Delhi Daredevils from 2008-2010 and then joined RCB in 2011. In the past 10 years that he has played at Bangalore, he has come in touching distance of the trophy but never managed to lay his hands on them. De Villiers seems averse to trophies as he has been unable to win ICC trophies in the Proteas colors as well. AB has played an incredible 184 games in IPL without an IPL trophy to his name.
3. Ajinkya Rahane
Rahane, for his major part, played for Rajasthan Royals where his performances were commendable. Rajasthan won the inaugural trophy in 2008 but at that time Rahane was part of the Mumbai Indians set-up. He joined Rajasthan in 2011 and played for them till 2019. In 2020, he joined Delhi Capital which reached the finals of IPL last year. It was the golden opportunity for him to win the IPL but unfortunately, DC lost to Mumbai Indians. Rahane, after playing 151 games, is yet to be part of a team that has to win the IPL.
4. Chris Gayle
The Universe Boss has created a few of the most memorable IPL moments. His 175* is still etched in the hearts of the fans. He started his career with the Kolkata Knight Riders and then moved to Bangalore in 2011. He played for Royal Challengers Bangalore till 2017 and ever since then he has been part of Punjab Kings. Unfortunately, Bangalore never won when he was there and Punjab’s performance in the last few years has been dismal. In all, he has played 142 matches in the IPL without winning a trophy.
5. Sanju Samsons
The Rajasthan captain of this season has played 121 games in IPL overall. He started with the Rajasthan franchise in 2013 and has continued with them ever since apart from his time at Delhi Daredevils when Rajasthan was suspended. He was made the captain of the franchise but he could not get Rajasthan to qualify for the play-offs. Samson would be finding ways to get his hands on the trophy in the subsequent seasons.
