5 times IPL teams regretted releasing players

IPL teams have often regretted releasing players. In a league where squad composition changes every season due to auctions, form, injuries and budget constraints, franchises sometimes release cricketers who were big names of the format or had become fan favourites. Age, poor performance or the need to restructure the team can force management to make difficult decisions.

Yet many of these decisions come back to haunt them when those very players are showing their best form elsewhere. Time and again, stars who were released became game winners for rival teams, leading to a sense of regret for their former franchises.

Here are 5 teams that regretted releasing players

5. Kolkata Knight Riders – Chris Gayle

West Indies legend Chris Gayle’s IPL career started with the Kolkata Knight Riders where he first showcased his explosive batting. During his two seasons with the franchise, Gayle scored 463 runs in 16 innings, including a best of 88* in IPL 2010. Despite flashes of his potential, KKR released him before the 2011 season, a decision that went on to become one of the major turning points in IPL history.

Once he was let go, Gayle was picked as a replacement player by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He immediately became the heartbeat of the Bengaluru crowd, winning back-to-back Orange Caps and writing batting records with his six-hitting skill. His aggressive approach made him an IPL icon. KKR’s decision to part ways with Gayle is still remembered as a big miss as the ‘Universe Boss’ became a legend of the game.