The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a league of intense rivalries and deep loyalties. While many players become synonymous with a single franchise, a select group has the rare distinction of having played for three of the league’s most popular teams: Mumbai Indians (MI), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
These “IPL journeymen” have unique stories, having experienced the cultures of three of the most high-profile teams. Here is a look at all the players who have achieved this feat.
1. Robin Uthappa
A T20 World Cup winner and a prolific batsman, Robin Uthappa is a well-known name on this list. He began his IPL journey with Mumbai Indians in 2008 before moving to RCB for the 2009 and 2010 seasons. After a long and successful stint with other teams, he joined CSK in 2021, playing a crucial role in their title win and retiring after the 2022 season.
2. Parthiv Patel
The former India wicketkeeper-batsman, Parthiv Patel, is a true IPL veteran. His journey began with CSK in the inaugural 2008 season, and he was part of their 2010 title win. He later played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2014 before having his most successful stint with the Mumbai Indians from 2015 to 2017, where he won two more titles. He returned to RCB for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
3. Karn Sharma
A wrist-spinner known for his ability to win championships, Karn Sharma has a remarkable record. He was part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad in 2009 but did not play a game. He later won a title with Mumbai Indians in 2017, where he was a key performer. From 2018 to 2021, he was with Chennai Super Kings, winning titles in 2018 and 2021, and then returned to RCB in 2022.
Bonus: Check our top 5 leggies to ever play in IPL and find out whether Karn Sharma made it to the list.
4. Tim Southee
The New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee has had a journey that highlights the challenges faced by overseas pacers in the IPL. He was part of the CSK squad that won the title in 2011. He later played for Mumbai Indians from 2016 to 2017, where he won a championship, and then with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018 and 2019.
Bonus: You will never believe Tim Southee has been a part of this star-studded Test players list.
5. Chris Jordan
The English all-rounder Chris Jordan is another player who has represented all three franchises. He first played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2016. He joined Chennai Super Kings in 2022 and was later acquired by Mumbai Indians as a replacement player in 2023.
6. Adam Milne
New Zealand pacer Adam Milne has a career that is almost exclusively tied to these three teams. He was with Royal Challengers Bangalore from 2016 to 2017. He later joined Mumbai Indians in 2021 and was part of the Chennai Super Kings squad in 2022.
Honourable Mentions: The Nearly Men
While the players above have the unique distinction of having played for all three teams, there are others who were part of the squads but never took the field.
Josh Hazlewood, the Australian fast bowler was bought by the Mumbai Indians in the 2014 auction. However, he pulled out of the tournament before playing a single match. Hazlewood’s IPL playing career is officially limited to Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Here is a quick summary table with the years each player spent with MI, RCB, and CSK.
| PLAYER | MI | RCB | CSK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robin Uthappa | 2008 | 2009-2010 | 2021-2022 |
| Parthiv Patel | 2015-2017 | 2014, 2018-2019 | 2008 |
| Karn Sharma | 2017, 2025 | 2009, 2022-2024 | 2018-2021 |
| Tim Southee | 2016-2017 | 2018-2019 | 2011 |
| Chris Jordan | 2023 | 2016 | 2022 |
| Adam Milne | 2021 | 2016-2017 | 2022 |
| Josh Hazlewood | Squad (2014) – Did not play | 2022-2025 | 2020-2021 |
The Crossover Legends
These players have shown their adaptability by fitting into different team cultures and environments. Their journeys underscore the unpredictable nature of the IPL, where a player’s loyalty is often to the sport itself, as they move between franchises in pursuit of opportunities and titles.The environment of team management is an essential element for the players to provide the best out of themselves. And it varies according to the character of the players to get adapted to the franchise’s environment.
