IPL's unlucky XI: Top players who never won a trophy

Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: BCCI)

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen some of the best talents in world cricket set the stage ablaze with their glorious performances. However, not everyone has lifted the coveted title.

The 18th edition of the IPL is slowly reaching the halfway point. Teams are jostling for positions at the top half of the points table. As the action intensifies and the stakes get higher, things will depend on which set of players can hold their nerves better.

CricTracker recently did some research and assembled a formidable team consisting of players whose performances mesmerised the fans in the IPL, but it wasn't enough to help them bag the title.

Let's look at the unlucky XI players who never won an IPL trophy: Top Order - Virat Kohli (C), Chris Gayle, Virender Sehwag (Impact Player) Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle

Virat Kohli has some phenomenal records in the IPL. He has scored the most number of runs (8,168) and registered the most number of centuries (8). The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star is also the only Indian player to win the in two different editions of the IPL. However, despite such surreal achievements, the IPL trophy has eluded the former India skipper. Kohli, who led RCB from 2013 to 2021, is going to spearhead this side.

Chris Gayle was one of the fiercest cricketers during his time. He had an aura about him, and his ability to clear the longest of boundaries with nonchalance instilled fear in the minds of opposition bowlers. Gayle finished with an average of 39.72 and a strike rate of 148.97 after playing 142 matches. He is going to open with Kohli in this team. They average 46.53 from 28 innings as an opening pair in the IPL, playing for RCB.

Virender Sehwag will be the Impact Player in this lineup. The Nawab of Najafgarh played 104 IPL games and scored 2,728 runs at an average of 27.56 and a strike rate of 155.45. He registered 16 fifties and two centuries in his IPL career. Sehwag only played one IPL final, and it was for the Punjab Kings in 2014, where they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders.

Middle Order - KL Rahul, AB de Villiers, Kevin Pietersen AB de Villiers. (Photo source: BCCI/IPL)

KL Rahul is a consistent performer in the IPL. He started his IPL journey at RCB. He went on to play for Sunrisers Hyderabad before leading Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants. The wicketkeeper-batter is currently plying his trade for Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2025. Rahul has amassed 4,775 runs from 125 innings in the IPL at a staggering average of 45.48 and a decent strike rate of 135.08.

Interestingly, AB de Villiers also started his IPL career at DC before moving to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The South African legend spent 11 seasons at RCB. He was a dependable member of the RCB batting lineup and had some phenomenal batting partnerships with Kohli. In 184 matches, the right-handed batter scored 5,162 runs at an average of 39.71 and a strike rate of 151.69.

Kevin Pietersen was one of the finest cricketers of his era. His charisma was different to others and he had the ability to step up under pressure. Pietersen played 36 IPL games, scoring 1,001 runs at an average of 35.75 and a strike rate of 134.73. He led RCB briefly in 2009 before leading Delhi Capitals for a full season in 2014. Now, he is serving as the mentor of the Capitals.

Lower Middle Order - Rishabh Pant (WK) and Irfan Pathan Rishabh Pant (Source: Surjeet Yadav/MB Media/Getty Images)

made his IPL debut in 2016. He spent eight seasons at DC. The wicketkeeper-batter had his best season in 2018, when he smashed 684 runs from 14 matches at an average of 52.61 and a strike rate of 173.60. He is currently leading the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025.

Irfan Pathan is one of the best seam-bowling all-rounders India has ever produced. He was a part of five IPL franchises, but he could not win the title. The Baroda-based cricketer finished his IPL career with 1,139 runs and 80 wickets after playing 103 matches.

Bowlers: Amit Mishra, Dale Steyn, Anil Kumble, Zaheer Khan Amit Mishra (Source: SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Amit Mishra is one of the most successful bowlers in IPL history. The leg-spinner bagged 174 scalps from 162 matches at an average of 23.82 and a strike rate of 19.37. He bowled with a lot of control, finishing with a commendable economy rate of 7.37.

Dale Steyn could bowl speeds of above 150 kph with a repeatable action. His accuracy and the ability to swing the new ball both ways made him a lethal component of any team. The South African speedster played 95 IPL games and picked up 97 wickets at an average of 25.86. He bowled inside the powerplay and also at the death, but he managed to finish with a stunning economy rate of 6.92.

Anil Kumble played three seasons at RCB, picking up 45 wickets from 42 matches at an average of 23.51 and an economy rate of 6.58. While RCB have won the most number of matches under Kohli, Kumble remains the franchise's most successful captain, with a win/loss ratio of 1.363.

Zaheer Khan is arguably the best left-arm seamer to have played for India. The current Lucknow Super Giants mentor played RCB, Mumbai Indians (MI), and DC. While RCB and DC are yet to win the title, MI have five titles to their name. However, Zaheer wasn't a part of the side in any of the seasons when they lifted the title. Zaheer played exactly 100 games in the league, picking up 102 wickets at 27.27.

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Unlucky XI: Best IPL players who never won a trophy

Virat Kohli (C), Chris Gayle, Virender Sehwag (Impact Substitute), KL Rahul, AB de Villiers, Kevin Pietersen, Rishabh Pant (WK), Irfan Pathan, Amit Mishra, Dale Steyn, Anil Kumble, Zaheer Khan