There is a popular belief that if you perform in the IPL and steal everyone’s attention, you are likely to enjoy a great deal of recognition in the future. Essentially, performing at the IPL can make you a superstar, sometimes, even before you play at the international level. However, there have been players who have failed to steal the limelight despite consistent and match-winning performances.
In this article, we look at 5 such underrated players in the IPL. They are in no specific order.
Mitchell McClenaghan:
Mumbai Indians have produced some of the best fast bowlers that IPL has seen: Malinga, Zaheer, Bumrah etc. Amongst these stalwarts, there has always been a left-armer named McClenaghan who has always gone unnoticed. He does not have the pace of Bumrah, the swing of Zaheer, or the yorker of Malinga. However, it’s his ability to mix it up that has fetched him 71 wickets in his IPL career. He is one of the highest wicket-takers among overseas players in the IPL. He has not stolen the show in any one season but has been highly consistent. His change of pace and surprising bouncers have made sure that he takes around 14-15 wickets every season.
Yusuf Pathan:
He could hit the ball as far as MS Dhoni does, and yet the recognition to Pathan as a powerful player is nowhere close to what MS Dhoni has. He has over 3000 IPL runs and they have been scored at a strike rate of 143, one of the highest ever in IPL. He made the record of the fastest T20 century in 2008. He is also remembered for playing a dazzling knock of 80 odd off just about 30 balls to help KKR qualify for the playoffs and eventually win the tournament. His hitting abilities have waned over time but when he was at his prime, he was as lethal as anyone.
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Robin Uthappa:
The stylish Karnataka right-hander Uthappa was supposed to be one of the star players for India but unfortunately could not get a longer run. In fact, his consistent performances in the IPL have been overlooked as he could never secure a fixed position in the Indian team. He is one of the leading run-scorers of the IPL as he has over 4,000 runs against his name. He took the IPL by storm in 2014 as he scored 8 consecutive fifties and won the orange cap to help KKR win the title. He was supremely talented with a knack for hitting the ball with ease. His abilities have also waned and it was clearly evident in the 2019 season. However, he has been one of the stars of the IPL.
Subramanian Badrinath:
Well, lack of attention is the case with most players who play for the CSK as this franchise is so much about MS Dhoni. However, even Dhoni would realize what value Badrinath added to his middle order with his consistent performances and calm demeanor. He was often the crisis-man for the CSK. He was not known for smashing the ball out of the park, but rather for his stable and steady approach and around him, players like Morkel and Dhoni expressed themselves. He was a massive factor in CSK’s prolonged success in the IPL.
Piyush Chawla:
Another player who could have played more for India but failed to do so - Piyush Chawla. And much like Uthappa, his astounding performances in the IPL were not recognized as often. He did not turn the ball miles like Shane Warne or did not bowl quickly like Anil Kumble. He relied on a good line and length and variations of pace. He was known primarily for his googly. He along with Narine and Kuldeep formed a formidable spin attack for the KKR. With 141 wickets against his name, he is the third-highest wicket-taker in IPL history.
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