One of the most popular cricket leagues around the world, the Indian Premier League, has managed to attract the best players from all over the world in its 17 years. Most of the players change teams at least once in their careers but are few players who have been loyal to one franchise throughout their IPL journey. Now let us take a peek at five never-released players who, come what may, made it with their continuities. 5 Iconic Players Who Were Never Released by Their IPL Franchises Virat Kohli Virat Kohli is synonymous with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). He joined the team in the league's inaugural season in 2008 for $30,000, and ever since, he has remained loyal to RCB. The history indicates that Kohli became the most run-scorer of IPL and score the most number of century in IPL history. In 2024, he won Orange Cap. Orange Cap is considered for the highest run scored by a player in any one season. Kohli never lost his loyalty towards the franchise RCB, for the unflinching allegiance, he has won so many hearts of cricket fan around the world. Also Read | IPL 2025: Top 5 Overseas Stars IPL Teams Can’t Afford to Lose MS Dhoni The other most iconic player and former Indian captain, MS Dhoni was picked by CSK in the first edition of IPL that was held way back in 2008 for a whopping amount of Rs 6 crore. It is, in fact the only man in the history who led a side to five title triumphs for the franchise; therefore, he remains their most successful captain to this day. The Chennai Super Kings remained suspended between 2016 and 2017 during which the player represented the Rising Pune Super Giants. Dhoni remained with CSK for the remaining of his IPL career and has thus become the most capped player in the history of the IPL. His leadership and finishing abilities are the reasons why CSK have enjoyed such success over the years. Sunil Narine Sunil Narine is an unusual spin-bowling all-rounder signed by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2012. He is one of the top bowlers for the league, and his crucial wickets have helped his team win matches. Narine is the leading wicket-taker for KKR and is the only player in the history of IPL to win the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award thrice. Narine has been the spine of KKR's success and their most capped player, thanks to his incisive bowling and being able to contribute with the bat. Also Read | LSG Retentions for IPL 2025: Pooran and 4 Others Confirmed Rishabh Pant Rishabh Pant made his IPL debut for Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2016. He is known for his fearless batting style. He quickly rose to become the leading run-scorer for DC. Before the 2018 and 2022 IPL auctions, DC retained him as he showed his calibre as a a fine cricketer. Pant became captain in 2021 and led DC to a sixth-place finish in 2024. Despite the ups and downs, Pant has remained loyal to Delhi Capitals, growing as a player and as a leader under the franchise. Sachin Tendulkar Sachin joined Mumbai Indians as their icon player ahead of the IPL 2008 and represented his team till his retirement was sealed in 2013. Many regard him as the great who broke all the barriers that this game could throw against human potential. Tendulkar wrote his name eternally in the history book when he bagged the Orange Cap in IPL. So far, in 78 matches played in the cash-rich league, Tendulkar scored 2334 runs to his name. He carries a legacy with Mumbai and is a much-loved figure in the eyes and hearts of Mumbai Fans to date.