IPL retentions: From Virat Kohli to MS Dhoni — Players who were never released by their franchises

In the IPL's competitive environment, where player transfers and auctions are common, there's a rare club of cricketers who have maintained stable relationships with their respective teams.

These players have become synonymous with their teams' identities, contributing significantly to their franchises' success and culture.Here's a list of such exclusive group of players never released by their IPL teams:Virat Kohli stands as the only player to have participated in all 18 IPL seasons with a single franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Acquired for Rs 12 lakh in 2008, Kohli holds the records for most runs and centuries in IPL history, including his remarkable 2016 season with 973 runs.MS Dhoni's leadership has been instrumental in Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) journey since 2008, leading the team to five IPL titles. He holds records for most matches played and wicketkeeper dismissals, maintaining his position with CSK except during his two-year suspension from 2016 to 2017.Sachin Tendulkar represented Mumbai Indians (MI) exclusively from the IPL's beginning until his retirement in 2013. As the first Indian to secure the IPL Orange Cap, he accumulated 2,334 runs in 78 matches and continues to serve as a mentor for the team.

Sunil Narine joined Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2012 and has contributed significantly to their three IPL titles. He has established himself as KKR's highest wicket-taker and most capped player, becoming the only player to win the Most Valuable Player award three times.Ruturaj Gaikwad, who debuted with Chennai Super Kings in 2020, has quickly become an integral part of the team. He has scored over 2,500 runs in 71 matches at an average of 40.35 and a strike rate of 137.47, securing the Orange Cap in IPL 2021. The impact of these one-team players extends beyond statistics, as they have helped shape their teams' playing styles and strategies. Their presence has provided stability and continuity to their franchises during the tournament's evolution.