5 former RCB players who shined for other franchises in IPL

Royal Challengers Bangalore is probably the only franchise that always has the potential to do well with its star-studded lineup but fails to achieve that milestone every year. Most of the legends of this lucrative League have remained a part of RCB at some point of time in their career. But the management lacked faith in these cricketers and released them later. The management never really backed up the match-winning players. Interestingly, most of the former RCB players moved to other franchises and became key players for them behind winning the IPL trophy. Let's take a look at 5 former RCB players who shined for other franchises in IPL.

1. KL Rahul

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The influence and contribution of KL Rahul to the Indian Cricket are known to everyone. Even his performances in IPL are also impeccable. He was a part of RCB back in time and was a potential talent of the franchise. RCB reached the final of IPL 2016 and KL Rahul played a key part in that journey. He amassed 397 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 146.49. RCB went ahead to release KL and retain Sarfaraz Khan. KL moved to his new team, then Kings XI Punjab, and scored 659 runs in IPL 2018. In the following years, he scored tons of runs and won the orange cap as well. He is surely one of those former RCB players that made the management rethink their strategy of not retaining him.

2. Shane Watson

RCB loses faith over a cricketer sooner than others. No matter how established a player is, a bad season is the simplest indication of the management no longer roping him. The exact same happened with Shane Watson. The Australian all-rounder has always proven himself to be one of the most important players in a team's victory. But IPL 2016 was a hard time for him. He failed to prove his caliber that year and RCB released him for that. Soon after joining Chennai Super Kings Watson became the second-highest run-scorer in IPL 2018. Also, his contribution of 117* runs in the finals of IPL 2018 let CSK win the trophy. Even his contribution to IPL 2019 final was magnificent. He played a brilliant knock of 80 runs with a bleeding knee.

3. Yuzvendra Chahal

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RCB releasing Yuzvendra Chahal and not buying him in the IPL 2022 mega auction was a huge shocker for every cricket fan, especially RCB fans. No one could really understand why RCB management took this decision when Chahal showed incredible performances for the franchise over the past years. Rajasthan Royals made the smart decision and bought the former RCB player for just INR 6.5 crore. Donning his new jersey, the leg spinner is playing phenomenally in Rajasthan. Presently, he is the Purple cap holder with 12 wickets. Whatever his performances result in the future, RCB will surely miss the magic of the spinner in dire situations.

4. Moeen Ali

Another crucial player that went unnoticed by the RCB management was Moeen Ali. He joined Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021 after not being selected by RCB for their further matches. Chennai Super Kings showed faith in the English cricketer and gave him the number 3 position to back at. Dhoni moulded the player to be an important all-rounder for CSK. Right after joining CSK Ali scored 357 runs in 15 innings and had the best bowling figure of 3/7. In fact, Moeen Ali is one of those former RCB players who went ahead to win the IPL trophy right after being released by RCB.

5. Quinton de Kock 

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RCB bought Quinton De Kock in IPL 2018 mega auction for INR 2.8 crore. He played only 8 matches in that season and later was left by the franchise. Later, Mumbai Indians roped De Kock in the very next year, and he became the third-highest run-scorer in IPL 2019 with 529 runs in 16 innings including 4 fifties.