Five Indian players who lifted the IPL trophy without playing a single game

For the last 15 years, IPL has been the most sought-after franchise competition in the cricketing world. Some of the biggest stars of the game ply their trade every year in the prestigious competition with hopes of lifting the coveted IPL trophy. Winning the IPL trophy does not come easy as it requires hard work and extensive planning throughout the tournament, and even after that, you need a bit of luck to go your way as well. While Renowned players like Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, Ambati Rayudu, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah have won multiple titles, some big names like Virat Kohli and Ab de Villiers have missed out even after multiple finals. But some players have been really blessed, as they managed to win the IPL trophy without even being in the playing XI for the entirety of the campaign. We take a look at the- five Indian players who won the IPL without making a single appearance 1. Gurkeerat Singh Mann (Gujarat Titans)- 2022 Gurkeerat Singh Mann. (Photo Source: Twitter) Gurkeerat Singh Mann’s name is synonymous with domestic cricket where he represents Punjab. He was picked up by Kings XI Punjab (Punjab Kings now) in 2012 and impressed with a cameo of 29 off 12 balls to help the side to a thrilling victory. A lower-order batter who can bowl some decent off-spin as well, Mann is a live wire in the field, and his catch to send Ross Taylor back to the pavilion in 2013 was named the catch of the tournament in that year’s IPL. The all-rounder played for the Punjab franchise till 2017. The following year he was picked up by Delhi in the IPL auction. After a disappointing outing with the capital side, the right-hander was bagged by RCB in 2019. Although he played some quickfire knocks for RCB, he found himself warming the bench most of the time. Last year, he was brought in by KKR to replace the injured Rinku Singh but did not make any appearance for the two-time champions. Gujarat Titans gambled on the 31-year-old in this year’s auction, but they didn’t require the services of the all-rounder in IPL 2022 and went on the win the trophy in their debut season. Gurkeerat Mann would’ve liked to play for the side, but he won’t be complaining after the final. 2. Vijay Shankar (Sunrisers Hyderabad) – 2016 Vijay Shankar (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) The all-rounder was one of the most promising prospects for India as he was able to provide some important overs with the ball as well. But the recent dip in form and the re-emergence of Hardik Pandya means Shankar will need to find his best form soon if he wants to make it to the Indian squad. The IPL 2022 champion with Gujarat Titans, Vijay Shankar burst onto the scene in the 2018 IPL season when he scored handy runs coming lower down the order for Delhi. In the subsequent season, he endured another decent with Sunrisers Hyderabad. But this wasn’t his 1st IPL trophy, his maiden success came with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Although the all-rounder didn’t make any contribution to the team’s success for the whole season, he ended up lifting the trophy in 2016. 3. Axar Patel (Mumbai Indians) – 2013 Axar Patel. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) Axar Patel won an IPL title even before bowling a ball in the competition. The left-arm spinner was signed by Mumbai Indians in 2013 on the back of an impressive Ranji Trophy season. Though he didn’t make an appearance for the Mumbai side, he was part of the squad that lifted the trophy that year. Axar’s breakthrough season came the following year when he picked up 17 wickets for Kings XI Punjab (Punjab Kings now), and he was awarded the emerging player of the tournament for his impressive debut season in 2014. After spending six seasons with the Punjab side, he signed for Delhi before the 2019 season. The all-rounder was retained by Delhi Capitals ahead of this year’s auction. One of the most consistent bowlers in the history of IPL, the spinner breached the 100 wicket mark in IPL in this year’s edition. His 100th wicket meant that southpaw became only the 4th player in IPL history to have 1000 runs and 100 wickets to their name. 4. Sanju Samson (Kolkata Knight Riders) – 2012 Sanju Samson. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) It’s hard to imagine Sanju Samson in any other team than Rajasthan’s. Although he was part of the Delhi setup for two seasons, it was due to the ban of Rajasthan from the IPL. Like his compatriot Axar, Samson also found his crowning moment without even making an appearance for the side when Gautam Gambhir’s KKR won the IPL in 2012. He was signed by Kolkata ahead of IPL in 2012 but didn’t make a single appearance for the franchise. The following year he was released by KKR and was picked up by the Rajasthan Royals. He got the opportunity in the team as their regular keeper got injured, the elegant right-hander scored 206 runs in 11 matches and also became the youngest player to score an IPL fifty (at that time). He was named the Best Young Player of the Season (‘Emerging player of the season now). The attacking middle-order batter led his side to their 2nd IPL final ever in 2022. A defeat at the hands of Gujarat Titans in the final meant that he will have to wait longer for his 2nd IPL title. Samson remains one of the most eye-pleasing batters in the tournament with his stroke-making abilities. 5. Abhinav Mukund (Chennai Super Kings)- 2011 Abhinav Mukund. (Photo Source: TNPL) Abhinav Mukund is a giant in the domestic circuit. The left-handed bulwark has more than ten thousand runs in first-class cricket with a triple century to his name. After his impressive show in Ranji Trophy, the southpaw was drafted into the national side for the red ball tour of the West Indies in 2011. Although he had just a single half-century to his name in the series, he showed enough fortitude to retain his place in the squad for the England tour. But the opener had a miserable time on the English shores as he struggled against the moving ball. He failed to make the side for the next six years, and his last appearance for India came against Sri Lanka in 2017. The southpaw failed to make a name on the International stage, but still has an IPL trophy to his name. He played for Chennai Super Kings from 2008-to 2012, and in 2011, he was part of the CSK team that won the IPL trophy. He remained on the bench throughout the campaign but had a trophy to his name at the end of the season.

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Five Indian players who lifted the IPL trophy without playing a single game

Here's a look at some of the most fortunate Indian players to have lifted the IPL trophy.

2. Vijay Shankar (Sunrisers Hyderabad) – 2016

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