IPL: 10 cricketers who were backed by franchises and later turned superstars

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has elevated the standards of international cricket with its top-notch services to cricket fans for years. Back in 2008, when the marquee league was launched, it attracted a lot of eyes due to its amazing franchise-style cricket. After more than 15 years of journey, some franchises have done excellent work in the tournament. 

In the last 15 years, the league produced a lot of superstars and this has been possible due to the diligence of these players. Behind the success of some players, the unwavering support of their franchises has also played a crucial role. Relying on the talent and backing from their franchises, they performed exceptionally in the T20 tournament and went on to become huge figures in the league and international cricket.

Here are 10 cricketers who became superstars after receiving steady support from their respective franchises

10. Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson is currently one of the star players in the cash-rich T20 tournament. After years of diligence and perseverance, he has earned a lot of fans. Back in 2013, Rajasthan Royals (RR) picked the then 18-year-old Samson to get his service in the sixth edition of the league. In his debut season, he got 11 games, in which he scored 206 runs with a half-century. Witnessing his talent, Royals retained him till 2015.

After serving Delhi Capitals (DC) for a couple of years, he returned to RR in 2018. This time, Samson looked more confident as he chipped in with 441 runs in 15 matches in his team’s journey till Playoffs. With these figures, he also ended up as the second-leading run-scorer for the team. 

In 2021, Royals rewarded Samson with the captaincy mantle for his excellent services to the team. Under his leadership, RR appeared in the finals of the tournament after 14 years in 2022. In the league, Samson is an impactful player and in the upcoming years, the RR veteran could become the next big thing for India in the international circuit as well.