IPL: Most underrated XI from tournament history

When it comes to the Indian Premier League (IPL), fans discuss the extraordinary achievements of star players such as Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Shane Warne, and many more illustrious names.

In the cash-rich league, star players become the apple of fans’ eyes while on the other hand, contributions of some players is often forgotten by the supporters. After 16 editions of the T20 extravaganza, these players rocked the tournament with their scintillating performances but did not get enough recognition for their efforts. 

Here is the underrated XI of IPL:

1. Ajinkya Rahane (C)

Ajinkya Rahane has been active in the league since 2008 and in these years, he represented teams such as Mumbai Indians (MI), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The right-handed batter has played 172 matches in his vast IPL career and has amassed 4400 runs with two tons and 30 fifties. 

In 2023, he played for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and made a vital contribution to the Yellow Army’s fifth title triumph. Appearing in 14 matches, he scored 326 runs in 11 innings at a marvellous strike rate of 172.48. Playing his maiden game of IPL 2023, he notched up his half-century in just 19 deliveries at the Wankhede Stadium.

Rahane isn’t seen as a dangerous batter in the league as Shikhar Dhawan, Faf du Plessis, and David Warner but it should not be forgotten that the Maharashtra-born batter ended up as the third-leading run-getter in IPL 2015, scoring 540 runs for RR in 13 innings.