IPL’s Biggest Release Regrets: Top 5 Players Teams Should Never Have Let Go

IPL teams often end up wishing they hadn’t let certain players go. With squads changing almost every year because of auctions, form, injuries, and budget issues, franchises sometimes release cricketers who were either proven performers or huge fan favourites. Sometimes it’s because of age, a bad season, or the need to rebuild the team, so management makes some tough choices.

But many of these decisions end up backfiring. The same players who were released often find top form with another team and turn into match-winners. When that happens, their old franchises are left regretting the move even more.

Kolkata Knight Riders - Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle, who would go on to be a West Indies icon, began his journey in the IPL with Kolkata Knightriders (KKR) in 2008, where we first started to see what he was capable of with bat in hand. In two seasons with KKR, Gayle amassed 463 runs from 16 innings, with a high score of 88* in 2010.

While he delivered some standout performances, KKR ended up releasing him prior to the 2011 season to try new combinations and save money, a decision that would later turn out to be one of the biggest blunders in IPL history. Once released, West Indies picked up Gayle as a replacement player.

In no time, he became the heartbeat of the Bengaluru crowd, winning consecutive Orange Caps and with it, batting records based on sheer six-hitting prowess and his aggressive enthusiasm made him an icon of the IPL. KKR’s decision to lose Gayle is still today, and seemingly will be known as one of their biggest miscalculations in IPL, as ‘the Universe Boss’ became one of the games greats.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle’s release by Royal Challengers Bengaluru was one of their toughest decisions. After joining RCB in 2011, he became a team legend — breaking many records, winning two Orange Caps, and playing some of the most unforgettable innings in IPL history. His performances were so special that he was later added to the RCB Hall of Fame.

However, the franchise’s decision to release Gayle ahead of the 2018 season resulted in a painful exit. He had revealed he was told initially that he would be retained, but eventually was on the released list. In his seven-year stint, he scored 3163 runs.

Chennai Super Kings - Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis is one of Chennai Super Kings’ best players ever, and many fans still feel the team made a big mistake by letting him go before the 2022 mega auction. It surprised everyone because he was a key reason CSK won the 2021 title, scoring a match-winning 86 in the final. For years, Faf was the main support of CSK’s top order, regularly scoring 300–600 runs each season. After he left, CSK struggled to replace him.

Following his time with CSK, the South African joined RCB, becoming captain, and continued performing with the same intensity and fitness he showed in yellow. Even today, CSK fans and management look back and feel they let a match-winner slip away far too soon. Overall, in 86 games for the Yellow Army, he scored 2559 runs.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Shane Watson

Shane Watson’s release is still a painful memory for Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans. RCB bought the Australian all-rounder for a big amount in IPL 2016, expecting him to repeat the kind of performances he had for Rajasthan Royals. But Watson couldn’t find his rhythm at RCB.

In the two seasons he played (2016–17), he struggled with the bat. He did help with the ball at times, but overall his run with the team was disappointing, and RCB eventually decided to let him go. Soon after being let go, Watson revived his career at Chennai Super Kings, where MS Dhoni backed him as a full-time opener. He had a sensational 2018 season with 555 runs, including his unforgettable century in the final that guided CSK to the title. 

Sunrisers Hyderabad - Rashid Khan

Sunrisers Hyderabad parted ways with Rashid Khan after five strong years together. Rashid launched his IPL stint at the SRH in 2017, all at once quickly becoming one of the league's most feared bowlers. At the conclusion of the 2021 season, he recorded 93 wickets at a stellar economy of 6.33 while often carrying the team to victory on his own. Regardless of his success, his time at SRH ended as the decision to part ways was a surprise for both parties.

Rashid simply wanted to enter the mega auction looking for a better deal somewhere else. SRH respected his wishes for a better future. However, in hindsight it has been a painful split for everyone involved. Rashid won a title with the Gujarat Titans while SRH was trying to find a bowler to take the league spot that Rashid had encapsulated.

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