There are champions, and then there are players who seem to carry the trophy with them wherever they go.When Royal Challengers Bengaluru completed their title defence, two names quietly stitched themselves into a rare corner of IPL folklore — Phil Salt and Venkatesh Iyer. The duo have now become part of three consecutive IPL title-winning campaigns, lifting the trophy with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024 before adding back-to-back crowns with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2025 and 2026.Also Read: The king in the west: Virat Kohli's stunning chase powers RCB to back-to-back IPL crownsThe irony is delicious. The two were central figures in Kolkata's triumphant 2024 season — Salt's fearless powerplay hitting gave KKR relentless momentum, while Venkatesh's unbeaten 52 in the final sealed the franchise's third title. Yet IPL's auction carousel scattered them in different directions, only for both to land in Bengaluru and continue collecting silverware.For Salt, the journey has been particularly symbolic. KKR's explosive opener became one of the most coveted players in the league after their championship run, and RCB's move for him transformed the franchise's batting identity. The Englishman brought aggression at the top, freeing up Virat Kohli and turning Bengaluru into a side that no longer merely entertained but suffocated opponents.Also Read: Rohit, Dhoni, Hardik: When IPL's biggest names couldn't deliver this season Venkatesh's story reads like a blockbuster transfer saga. Once the poster boy of KKR's resurgence, the left-handed all-rounder crossed the divide and seamlessly slipped into RCB's champion machine. His ability to absorb pressure in the middle overs and explode when required made him one of the most valuable pieces in Rajat Patidar's title-winning blueprint.Three seasons. Three trophies. Two franchises. One remarkable streak.In a league obsessed with superstars, mega auctions and constant reinvention, Salt and Venkatesh have become cricket's version of lucky charms — players who simply seem to arrive wherever the IPL trophy is destined to go.