Let’s be real—every IPL season is a ride. Sixes, thrills, fan moments that will amaze you and that constant chatter about the megastars. But, wait, what about the quietly effective guys? The underappreciated? The blokes without fan clubs that just win matches and your hearts? That’s what we are going to talk about today.
Before you think this is another boring statistics-based analysis, take a breath. This is not going to be like that. We are talking about vibes, feelings, and a tiny bit of my own twist to it. Yes, like that time your favorite player scored 12 runs, and those 12 runs were sorcery. Yeah, that!
1. Shahbaz Ahmed – The Silent Assassin
He doesn’t boast, but does he put in work? He’s the guy in your group project who doesn’t talk, but does all the actual work. He can bat, he can deceive with his bowling, and is calm as a clam within himself. He does it all. If that’s not enough, he has saved RCB’s arse from defeat too many times to name.
2. Rahul Tewatia – Still That Guy
Do you remember when he turned a game on its head in a matter of balls? Yup, the same guy. In 2025, Tewatia is still doing his thing – still finishing impossible games when everyone is almost out of the stadium. He is the textbook example of an underdog, consistently proving the naysayers wrong. How can you not love a guy like that? =
3. Rinku Singh – The Finisher You Didn’t Know Existed
You know those times when you microwave food and think “wow, that is better than food should have been”? That’s Rinku. No offense, but literally no one thought he was going to become the finisher that he is now. In IPL 2025, Rinku has been the calmest storm in the finishing stages of the innings. One of my friends literally said, “I trust Rinku more than I trust my Wi-Fi.” And I understand where he is coming from.
4. Mukesh Kumar – Mr. Dependable
Not every bowler needs to bowl bouncers of 150km/h. There is a place for accuracy, consistency and some guts. Mukesh Kumar has been that bowler. You might miss him while watching the game however the scoreboard will not. He is basically that school topper who never brags, but always ends up obtaining a full score mark.
5. Tilak Varma – Solid to the Core
Tilak is the type of player who looks like he has played forever despite just starting. There is maturity in his shots, composure in his experiences, and a spark in his eyes. He is unassuming rather than flamboyant and reliable—your team’s hoodie.
In a league of diversity and noise these ones are the heartbeat. They may not get Twitter trending or have the large paychecks, but without them, half the excitement would be lost.
So next time you watch an IPL match, pay attention to the details—those bowling overs that turn the game, that game defining six, that tightly bowled spell under pressure. There is a fair chance that it is one of these unrecognised legends creating magic with no fan fare.
Are you inspired? Do you want to root for these underdogs while also winning? Then go to Cricmatch and check out all their live scores, match predictions as well as fantasy league details. Therefore, if you want to enjoy your next cricket passion in real-time, get registered with Cricmatch and have some fun!
