The IPL has come a long way since its grand inception in 2008. New superstars have emerged, underdog stories have unfolded, and some absolute legends have stood the test of time. But among all the fresh faces and new talents, a select few players have been there since day one. Here are active IPL cricketers who were also part of the inaugural season in 2008. And trust us, the last one will surprise you.
MS Dhoni – The Timeless Thala
MSD and the IPL? That’s a love story for the ages. The man has been in every IPL season, donning the iconic CSK yellow for 16 of them. He did have a brief two-year adventure with Rising Pune Supergiant (2016-2017), but let’s be honest—Thala and Chennai are inseparable.
Virat Kohli – RCB’s Forever Love
RCB and Virat—now that’s a love story for the ages! He’s the only cricketer on this list who’s stayed loyal to the same franchise since Day 1. Through the highs, the heartbreaks, and the almost-there moments, King Kohli and RCB are the ultimate "ride or die" duo!
Jadeja & Ashwin - The Spin Wizards
Speaking of CSK, Jadeja and Ashwin are back together in Chennai this year—reunion tour, anyone? These two have been part of the IPL scene since 2008, proving that some bonds (and crafty spin duos) just refuse to fade. Get ready for nostalgia, wickets, and maybe a friendly battle for supremacy!
Rohit Sharma – From DC to MI Royalty
The Hitman’s IPL journey began with the Deccan Chargers in 2008, but in 2011, he packed his bags, moved to Mumbai Indians, and never looked back! Since then, MI has clinched five titles under his captaincy. Rohit Sharma doesn’t just hit sixes, he also collects trophies like souvenirs!
Ajinkya Rahane – The IPL Nomad
Fun fact: The current KKR skipper actually kicked off his IPL journey with Mumbai Indians back in 2008! Yep, Ajinkya Rahane has been quite the cricketing nomad, playing for 7 different teams—talk about a well-stamped IPL passport! Now a key part of KKR, Rahane is proving that class is permanent and experience is invaluable.
Ishant Sharma – The Comeback King
Ishant Sharma has been part of the IPL rollercoaster since 2008—well, mostly! He did miss 3 seasons (2012, 2018 and 2022) in between, but the veteran pacer always finds his way back to the big stage. Some things, like a good yorker and Ishant in the IPL, just never go out of style!
Manish Pandey – The OG Century Maker
Everyone remembers Manish Pandey as the first Indian to smash an IPL century back in 2009—but here’s a little plot twist! Before making history, he was actually part of the Mumbai Indians squad in 2008. Talk about a low-key debut before the big bang!
Swapnil Singh – The Surprise Veteran
Bet you didn’t see this one coming! Swapnil Singh, now with RCB, was actually part of the very first IPL season. Yep, back in 2008, a 17-year-old Swapnil was picked up by MI—talk about a teenage dream! Who knew he’d be making a comeback all these years later? However, he had to wait until 2016 to actually debut for KXIP. He then moved to LSG before finding a home in Bengaluru.
