Over the years the Indian Premier League has seen many players come and go. Some have left lasting impacts, some have been forgotten over time, and some have had equal spells of success and failures. The IPL does not just give platforms to players that are expected to break out. It also is a ground for redemption and revival. Poor seasons can be undone with success in the following years. 

Players, even the most high-profile, will always have the platform to rise from the ashes by putting their past performances behind. The 2026 IPL also sees a lot of players coming in after poor outings previously. Be it at a new team after a poor season for an old team, looking to right the wrongs of the previous season, or returning after an extended break, these stories are what make the IPL what it is.

Here are 5 big stars coming back to IPL after poor past seasons

5. Quinton de Kock (Mumbai Indians)

Quinton de Kock is an IPL veteran. It is uncharacteristic of the Protea wicketkeeper-batter to have a poor season, but his 2025 with the Kolkata Knight Riders was a dismal one. With 152 runs in eight games, he struggled for runs and form. He returns in 2025 to the Mumbai Indians, a team where he was instrumental in winning two IPL titles, in 2019 and 2020.

De Kock made his return to the South African team in the white-ball formats and is now back playing like the enigmatic batter that he was. MI fans will now be expecting him to recreate the numbers of 2019/20 and for De Kock, the goal is to put the previous season behind him.

4. Rashid Khan (Gujarat Titans)

Rashid Khan has widely been considered one of the best spinners in the shortest format, but his IPL 2025 performance was one to forget. With nine wickets coming at an average of 57.11, he was one of the concerning points in a Gujarat Titans team that made the playoffs.

Rashid is the lead spinner for the Gujarat Titans and his performances will be key to GT’s success in 2026. His accolades and numbers as a T20 bowler are undisputed, but his last season poses questions about whether he has still got it. It is most important for him to put the 2025 season behind him and show us in 2026 why he is rated so highly.

3. Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants)

As the captain and the marquee signing for the Lucknow Super Giants, Rishabh Pant‘s 2025 season was underwhelming. Signed in the 2025 Mega Auction as the most expensive player in IPL history at INR 27 crore, a lot was expected of Rishabh Pant. But his numbers were poor, recording just 269 runs at a strike rate of 133.17, unusual for a batter of his talent.

In full flow, Rishabh Pant is one of the most dangerous batters in the world. He will be hoping to show up in full flow this season, to regain his place in the white-ball formats for the Indian team. He has the talent to justify the substantial price tag, but the question remains on whether he will be able to do it.

2. Sarfaraz Khan (Chennai Super Kings)

A breakout story made in the IPL, Sarfaraz Khan was one of the standout young players to come out of the IPL. After breaking out at RCB as a talented batter, Sarfaraz had failed spells at the Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings. All this while he had been churning out runs for Mumbai in the longest format. After a call-up to the Test team and subsequent omission, Sarfaraz returns to the IPL with the Chennai Super Kings in 2026. 

He is an innovative batter, capable of scoring runs with unorthodox shots and clearing the boundary with ease. Sarfaraz will be hoping for a great season in 2026, with hopes of returning to the Indian team. He has the game to succeed in this format, and it now relies on him to fulfil that potential.

1. Prithvi Shaw (Delhi Capitals)

One of the most highly anticipated talents in India, the way Prithvi Shaw’s career has gone is unprecedented. The Mumbai-based opener broke out as a prodigy, but off-field issues, a doping ban and poor form have derailed the blossoming of that potential. He had a successful run with the Delhi Capitals but due to form and off-field concerns, he was released ahead of the 2025 season.

Shaw returns to Delhi in 2026 with a point to prove. With attacking intent, ball-striking and strokeplay, Shaw is the complete package for the modern batter, with the blend of the old-school grace of Mumbai. He has amassed runs wherever he has played, and will look to do so in the IPL.

The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) will see its first name at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, March 29 when hosts Mumbai Indians (MI) take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Both sides will enter their first game of the new IPL season with a lot of promise and will want to register two points on the board. MI, however, would be backing on home advantage to beat their long-term rivals in front of a packet sea of blue in the stands. 

The Hardik Pandya-led side will come into the game with a lot of confidence after that happened at the Wankhede Stadium against KKR last time around. Last season, MI registered an emphatic eight-wicket victory after dismissing their opposition for just 116, thanks to Ashwini Kumar’s four-wicket haul. MI chased down the total with ease following an unbeaten 62 from Ryan Rickelton. 

The Wankhede Stadium is renowned to produce some of the best wickets for T20 cricket. Fans therefore can expect an even contest between bat and ball and with the pitches being fresh at the start of the tournament. 

Wankhede Stadium: Pitch Report

Wankhede Stadium is often regarded as having one of the best batting wickets in India. However, that does not mean that there is nothing in offer for the bowlers. Batters often enjoy batting at the Wankhede Stadium due to the ease at which the ball comes on to the bat along with the combination of having shorter boundaries, particularly square of the wicket. 

The bowlers, however, will be looking to make use of the new ball to get early wickets at the start of the innings. The seamers can look to make the most out of the sea breeze on offer to them thanks to the stadium being a stone’s throw away from the Arabian Sea.

IPL Stats and Records at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Also Check: IPL 2026: MI vs KKR Match 2 – Preview

MI vs KKR: Strategies and Match-ups 

Both MI and KKR come into the game with different approaches with the hope of claiming their first victory of the season. MI are a much more balanced side with quality in each area of the game, be it batting or bowling. KKR, on the other hand, are usually known for being heavily reliant on spinners like Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine. 

MI has had an upper hand over KKR ever since the IPL started back in 2008. The five-time champions have won 24 out of the 35 games contested between the two sides with the Bengal-based side winning just 11. However, in their last five meetings, KKR have won three compared to MI’s two.

The Indian Premier League has always been a volatile league where one can never predict for which team a player will play after a season. Over the years, the auction table has reshaped careers, turning players into journeymen across franchises while also creating stories of adaptability and reinvention.

From seasoned campaigners like Aaron Finch and Yuvraj Singh, who represented multiple teams during their IPL journeys, the league has seen several players wear a variety of colours over the years.

While some icons became synonymous with a single franchise, many others carved out unique paths by contributing wherever they went. In today’s dynamic IPL system, frequent squad changes mean that even active players often find themselves switching teams in search of opportunity, form, or the right role.

With that in mind, we take a look at active IPL players who have represented four or more franchises in the league.

Marcus Stoinis – 4 teams

The all-rounder from Australia, Marcus Stoinis has been a hit or a miss in the IPL since his debut in the league. The 36-year-old, despite being one of the most talented players in the world, could never make his mark in the IPL for any of his franchises. As a result, he never got settled in any of his IPL teams. He currently plays for Punjab Kings, and was an integral part in their successful campaign in 2025.

Teams: Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, Punjab Kings

Ravindra Jadeja – 4 teams

The most surprising name in this list is one of the most successful players in the history of the IPL, Ravindra Jadeja. The legendary all-rounder has represented four IPL teams till date. He started his IPL journey with Rajasthan Royals, where he clinched the first ever IPL title with them in 2008.

He briefly played for Kochi Tuskers Kerala before his epic story with Chennai Super Kings began in 2012. During CSK’s ban, Jadeja played for his state side, Gujarat Lions for two seasons. This year, he made his return to RR after being traded for Sanju Samson.

Teams: Rajasthan Royals, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Lions.

KL Rahul – 5 teams

KL Rahul’s Indian Premier League journey, spanning from 2013 to the present, is a story of steady evolution, downfall, and eventual dominance. Starting out as a young wicketkeeper-batter with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2013, Rahul has grown into one of the most consistent openers and dependable leaders in the league.

With over 5,200 runs, he has firmly established himself among the IPL elite. He currently represents Delhi Capitals in IPL, after he was bought by them for 14 crores INR in the 2025 IPL auction.

Teams: Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals

Ajinkya Rahane – 6 teams

Ajinkya Rahane has been one of the most enduring figures in the Indian Premier League since its inception in 2008. With over 5,000 runs in nearly 200 matches, Rahane has created a unique space for himself as a technically sound, classical batter in a format dominated by power-hitters.  

Across his long IPL journey, Rahane has represented multiple franchises, including Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Chennai Super Kings.

Despite not being known for explosive hitting, Rahane has delivered consistently at the top order, registering two centuries and 33 half-centuries. In 2026 season, he will lead three-time IPL champions KKR, signifying his important stature in the league.

Teams: Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings.

Quinton de Kock – 6 teams

Quinton de Kock has been one of the most destructive opening batters in the Indian Premier League since his debut in 2013. Combining fearless strokeplay with consistency at the top, the South African wicketkeeper-batter has amassed over 3,300 runs in 115 matches, including two centuries and 24 half-centuries.

Renowned for his aggressive powerplay approach, de Kock has played a key role across multiple franchises, delivering impactful starts that often set the tone for his team’s innings. His ability to dominate both pace and spin early on makes him one of the most dangerous openers in the league.

Teams: Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants, Kolkata Knight Riders.

Ishant Sharma – 7 teams

Ishant Sharma has been one of the most experienced fast bowlers in the Indian Premier League, having been part of the tournament since its inaugural season in 2008. Known for his towering height and ability to generate bounce, Ishant has brought a classical fast-bowling presence to a format often dominated by variations and pace-off deliveries.

Over the years, he has featured in 117 matches, picking up 97 wickets, reflecting his longevity and adaptability across different phases of the league. While not always a regular in every season, his experience has made him a valuable asset in various bowling line-ups.

Teams: Kolkata Knight Riders, Deccan Chargers, Mumbai Indians, Rising Pune Supergiant, Kings XI Punjab (Punjab Kings), Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans

Manish Pandey – 7 teams

Manish Pandey holds a special place in Indian Premier League history as the first Indian batter to score a century in the tournament. Over a career spanning from 2008 to 2025, he has been a reliable middle-order presence, combining classical strokeplay with the ability to anchor innings under pressure. Across 174 matches, Pandey has amassed 3,942 runs, including one century and 22 half-centuries.

His longevity in the league is reflected in the number of franchises he has represented, including Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Pune Warriors India, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, among others. He will represent KKR in the upcoming IPL season.

Teams: Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Pune Warriors India, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants

Jaydev Unadkat – 8 teams

Jaydev Unadkat holds the unique distinction playing for eight franchises, being the player with the most number of IPL teams among active ones in IPL history. Since making his debut, the left-arm pacer has been a regular feature at auctions, often attracting significant bids due to his strong domestic credentials.

While his IPL numbers have seen fluctuations over the years, Unadkat has still managed to deliver impactful spells at crucial moments. His journey reflects both the opportunities and challenges of sustaining success in a highly competitive T20 league, where form and roles can change rapidly.

Teams: Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Rising Pune Supergiant, Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad