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IPL: 5 players to have played for both RCB and CSK
Follow UsHere are the notable five players who have played for both RCB and CSK in the IPL
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been the arch-rivals in the IPL since its inception. CSK might have a big upper hand over RCB, winning 22 of 34 encounters. But the most recent face-off in the IPL 2024, where RCB’s win against CSK made them qualify for the playoffs against all odds and possibly at the time, ended MS Dhoni’s IPL career on a sour note until he confirmed to play in the 2025 edition during the retentions.
There have been a few players who have played for both these teams and have experienced the heat in both red and yellow. Here are some notable players who represented both sides:
SHIVAM DUBE (RCB: 2019-20, CSK: 2022-present)
Shivam Dube signed his first IPL contract with RCB for a whopping 5 crore. The left-hand batting all-rounder came in with a buzz of being a six-hitter. His time in the Bengaluru franchise was not up to the mark as he scored just 169 runs in 15 games across two seasons, unable to find a permanent position in the playing 11.After a quiet season with Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021, Dube got signed by Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2022 mega auction for 4 crore. He had a complete turnaround in the yellow jersey as he was given a firm position at #4 and was given a go to attack spinners in the middle overs. This resulted in three successful seasons for Dube, where he consistently scored at 150+ strike rate, accelerating the team score in the middle overs by taking spinners for a ride.
He managed to score 1103 runs in 39 innings for CSK, making him the third retention for a whopping 12 crore heading into IPL 2025.
FAF DU PLESSIS (CSK: 2012-15 & 2018-21, RCB: 2022-24)
Faf du Plessis has been a key feature of the CSK folklore as the South Africa legend played seven seasons for the Men in Yellow and played some terrific knocks in crucial games. Across seven years with the team, he managed 2721 runs in 86 innings, scoring 350+ runs in five of the seven editions.He was signed by RCB in IPL 2022 mega auction for seven crore and was made the captain of the side. In just three years of his time with the Bengaluru franchise, he managed to win the hearts of all RCB fans as the team made the playoffs twice under his captaincy, and he played a pivotal role as the opener along with Virat Kohli scoring 450+ runs in 2022 & 2024 season. In the 2023 edition, he single-handedly contributed 730 runs, averaging 56 and striking at 157.
SHANE WATSON (RCB: 2016-17, CSK: 2018-20)
Shane Watson might be the most polarizing player to have played for RCB and CSK as the Australian all-rounder had two contrasting records for both the franchises.Coming into IPL 2016, Watson was signed by RCB for a big paycheck of 9.5 crore due to his brilliance with the Rajasthan Royals in the previous eight editions. In the two seasons that he represented Bengaluru, his bat made no sound as he scored just 250 runs in 22 innings with zero 50+ scores. He was decent with the ball, picking up 25 wickets in 22 innings across the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
He was signed by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2018 mega auction for four crore and was given the opener's role along with Ambati Rayudu/Faf du Plessis. He had three terrific seasons for CSK, scoring 1252 runs in 43 innings and scoring a trophy-winning century against SRH in the IPL 2018 finals. He managed seven fifties and two centuries for the yellow army, ending his IPL career on a high in 2020.
MOEEN ALI (RCB: 2018-20, CSK: 2021-24)
Moeen Ali made his IPL debut in 2018 when RCB signed him for 1.9 crore in the mega auction. The spin-bowling English all-rounder did not feature much in 2018, playing just five games. In 2019, he was used as a floater who accelerated the innings, scoring 220 runs at a strike rate of 165. He once again was not used in the 2020 season, featuring in just three games.
He was signed by Chennai Super Kings for seven crore in the IPL 2021 auction. He had a terrific season for the yellow army, scoring 357 runs and taking six wickets. This performance resulted in CSK retaining him for IPL 2022 for eight crore.
In the next three seasons, he did not have as much impact with the bat, as he managed just 496 runs in 25 innings. With the ball, he was a bit decent, taking 19 wickets across the three seasons with limited opportunity.
Moeen Ali will be representing the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2025.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD (CSK: 2020-21, RCB: 2022-present)
Josh Hazlewood is one of the rare exceptions who had a better record in RCB compared to CSK. The Australian ace pacer made his IPL debut in the 2020 edition for CSK. He played three games and managed just one wicket. He was given more chances in IPL 2021, where he picked up 11 wickets in nine games at a bowling SR of 19.1
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) signed the Aussie pacer for 7.75 crore in the the IPL 2022 mega auction. He played 15 games across the 2022 and 2023 seasons, picking 23 wickets at a bowling SR of 14.5 with a decent economy of 8.2. He missed out in the 2024 season due to a paternity break.
Coming into IPL 2025, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) once again have shown faith in the Australian pacer, signing him up for a whopping 12.5 crore, probably making him the leader of the bowling attack.