There have been several underrated players in the history of the IPL who have consistently performed at a high level but didn’t always receive the recognition they deserved. These players may not have made the headlines as often as the big stars, but their contributions were crucial to their teams' success. Here’s a look at some of the most underrated players in IPL history:
🏏 1. Robin Uthappa
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Role: Batsman (Top Order)
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Why Underrated: Robin Uthappa has been one of the most consistent openers in IPL history, but his contributions have often gone unnoticed compared to more flamboyant names. His ability to anchor innings and play match-winning knocks was crucial for teams like Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals.
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Notable Performance: His key contribution in KKR’s IPL 2014 title-winning campaign, where he scored 660 runs at an average of 66.00, was one of the tournament’s standout individual efforts.
🏏 2. Suresh Raina
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Role: Batsman (Middle-order), Captain (in Dhoni's absence)
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Why Underrated: Raina has often been overshadowed by the likes of MS Dhoni and other IPL stars, yet his contributions with the bat, especially for Chennai Super Kings, have been invaluable. He was often the backbone of CSK’s middle order and has produced numerous match-winning performances.
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Notable Performance: Raina is among the top run-scorers in IPL history and was instrumental in CSK's successes. His 67 off 50 balls in the 2010 IPL final against Mumbai Indians is a key example of his finishing ability.
🏏 3. Amit Mishra
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Role: Bowler (Leg-spin)
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Why Underrated: Amit Mishra is one of the most successful spinners in IPL history but has often been overlooked in favor of other flashy bowlers. His ability to bowl in the middle overs and take crucial wickets makes him a constant threat, but his quiet and consistent performances haven't earned him the same recognition as other spinners.
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Notable Performance: Mishra has been one of the leading wicket-takers in IPL history and was crucial for teams like Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and Deccan Chargers. His 5-wicket haul against KKR in 2013 is one of the most iconic individual performances.
🏏 4. Krunal Pandya
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Role: All-rounder (Bowler and Batsman)
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Why Underrated: While Hardik Pandya has often been the focal point, Krunal has consistently been a valuable player for Mumbai Indians. His contributions with the ball and in the middle order have often gone under the radar, but he has been one of the most effective all-rounders in IPL.
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Notable Performance: His match-winning performances with the ball, such as his 3-wicket haul against KKR in 2019, and his ability to finish games with the bat, particularly in pressure situations, have made him a key player in Mumbai’s successes.
🏏 5. Dinesh Karthik
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Role: Wicketkeeper-batsman (Finisher)
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Why Underrated: Dinesh Karthik has been a reliable performer across multiple IPL teams, including KKR and RCB, but has often been underappreciated for his contributions in both the batting and wicketkeeping departments.
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Notable Performance: Karthik has been instrumental in several match-winning finishes, including his quickfire knocks and his leadership with KKR in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, leading them to the playoffs. His close-to-60 batting average in IPL 2018 is another reminder of his consistency.
🏏 6. Shreyas Iyer
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Role: Batsman (Top Order), Captain
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Why Underrated: Iyer has been one of the most consistent young players in the IPL but has often flown under the radar in comparison to other Indian batting stars. Despite leading Delhi Capitals to a final in 2020, his calm and steady batting at the top has earned him less attention.
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Notable Performance: Iyer’s leadership in 2020, where he guided Delhi to their first-ever final, and his consistent batting performances (like his 88 runs off 38 balls against RCB in 2020) highlight his value.
🏏 7. Harbhajan Singh
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Role: Bowler (Off-spin)
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Why Underrated: Harbhajan Singh’s contribution to the Mumbai Indians has been often overshadowed by the flashier players. However, his role as a senior spinner in the team, delivering key overs in powerplays and the death, has been pivotal to Mumbai’s dominance.
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Notable Performance: His 3-wicket haul in the 2011 IPL final against Chennai Super Kings helped MI gain an advantage and has been one of his key contributions.
🏏 8. Rishi Dhawan
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Role: All-rounder
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Why Underrated: Dhawan has been a handy player for teams like Kings XI Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, but despite his consistency as an all-rounder, he has often been underappreciated. His wicket-taking ability and batting performances have been solid without attracting as much attention.
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Notable Performance: His all-round performance in the 2016 season, where he contributed with both bat and ball, earned him recognition, but he hasn’t been in the spotlight like other IPL stars.
🏏 9. Ben Stokes
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Role: All-rounder
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Why Underrated: While Stokes is recognized as one of the world’s best all-rounders, his IPL performances have often not been as consistent or headline-grabbing compared to his international exploits. Nonetheless, when he does contribute, his impact is immense.
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Notable Performance: Stokes' 200* against Rajasthan Royals in 2015 stands as one of the finest individual performances, yet his IPL career has been far from as consistent as his national team performances.
🏏 10. Jaydev Unadkat
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Role: Bowler (Left-arm pace)
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Why Underrated: Jaydev Unadkat has been a steady performer for several IPL teams, including Rajasthan Royals and Rising Pune Supergiants, but he hasn’t always received the credit he deserves for his death-over bowling. He has been an unsung hero in many key moments, even though his statistics haven’t always reflected his impact.
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Notable Performance: Unadkat’s consistent wicket-taking abilities in the 2017 season, where he was one of the standout bowlers for RR, often went unnoticed, but his ability to bowl tight overs in pressure situations was vital.
🏏 11. Manish Pandey
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Role: Batsman (Top Order)
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Why Underrated: Although Pandey has been a consistent top-order batsman for various IPL teams (including SRH and Kolkata Knight Riders), he has often been overshadowed by flashier players. His batting stability and ability to anchor the innings in pressure situations have been undervalued.
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Notable Performance: Pandey’s 48 off 35 balls* in the 2014 final helped KKR secure their second IPL title. He has also been a steady contributor in high-pressure chases but often doesn't grab the same attention as his contemporaries.
🏏 12. Kedar Jadhav
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Role: Batsman (Middle-order), All-rounder
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Why Underrated: Jadhav has been a reliable middle-order batsman for RCB and CSK, but often doesn’t get the recognition he deserves for his calmness under pressure. His ability to finish games or play quick knocks often goes unnoticed.
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Notable Performance: Jadhav's match-winning performances in the 2019 IPL season for CSK and his all-round efforts have often flown under the radar.
🧠 Conclusion:
These players, despite not being in the spotlight as frequently as the likes of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, or Rohit Sharma, have made significant contributions to their respective teams. Whether through consistent batting, wicket-taking, or match-winning performances, they have played key roles in the IPL’s rich history but often lack the recognition they deserve.