IPL 2025: The Unsung Heroes – Part 3

Welcome to Part 3 of this little series. No fancy intros here. Just a reminder: not all heroes wear orange caps or take hat-tricks in finals. Some just do their job quietly — and do it well enough to shift momentum. That’s exactly what this list is about.

This season, while the big names hogged the limelight, these guys did the heavy lifting when no one was watching. Time to give them their due.

1. Anshul Kamboj: CSK didn’t have the greatest of seasons. Let’s just say the trophy was never really in sight. But amidst all the chaos, Anshul Kamboj showed up. No hype, no drama. Just solid spells.

He kept his economy under 8 — that alone tells you he was holding it down while others were leaking runs. Bowling average? 21. That’s serious value. Alongside Khaleel, he was the only one who gave fans something to cheer for.

2. Jitesh Sharma: “Don’t worry, Jitesh Sharma is here.” Iconic. And accurate.

This season, Jitesh did a bit of everything for RCB. Cameos in chases. Clean glove work. DRS calls that turned games. But the best bit? The belief. You could see it in how he carried himself.

Dinesh Karthik’s presence clearly helped. But Jitesh made his own name this season — loud and clear.

3. Shashank Singh: Picked by accident. Delivered like a pro. Shashank Singh didn’t just silence the critics — he made people rewatch his innings for the bat swing alone.

He had that rare finishing vibe — like, if he’s on strike and you need 70 in 4 overs, it’s still on. He almost pulled off the final, too. Fell short, yes. But only just.

4. Digvesh Rathi: Everyone talks about Bishnoi in that team, but this guy? Digvesh Rathi was a gem this season. Sure, his “notebook” celebration was meme-worthy, but the real story was with the ball.

He bowled hard lengths, smart spells, and didn’t let batters breathe. In fact, only Narine was close when it came to consistent length bowling. Quietly effective. Deadly in the middle overs.

5. Abdul Samad: You probably didn’t see this coming. But look again — Samad had a crazy strike rate (176!) and made the most of his new role at LSG.

After a few hit-or-miss years at SRH, he finally found a team that trusted him at the death. And he paid that faith back. He’s just 23, but this season felt like a proper reboot for him.

You don’t always need to be on the front page to be valuable. In a tournament like the IPL, filled with glamour and pressure, it’s often the less celebrated names who do the quiet hard work, game after game. That’s exactly what these five players did.

They weren’t the most talked-about. They weren’t topping fantasy leagues. But they turned up when it mattered, kept their heads down, and let their performances speak. Whether it was a tight over, a sharp stumping, or a fearless finish, they contributed in ways that changed matches, even if only a few noticed.

And honestly, this is why I love cricket. It’s not just about centuries or viral moments — it’s also about the grit, the comebacks, and the lesser-known stories that make the game richer.

So here’s a small salute to Anshul, Jitesh, Shashank, Digvesh, and Samad — for reminding us that not all impact is visible, and not all legends need to be famous.

If you’ve got someone else in mind who deserves a mention, tell me. Part 4 is on the way, and maybe your pick will be the next name we highlight. Let’s keep appreciating the game — and the players — beyond the headlines.

Thank You,

Advait Kadam

Cricket Analyst

IPL 2025: The Unsung Heroes – Part 2

In my last blog, I spoke about a few players who didn’t get much limelight but were absolutely vital to their team’s performance. They weren’t the headline-makers, but without them, many matches could’ve had very different outcomes. Today, I’m back with Part 2—because there are more of these silent warriors who deserve our applause.

Let’s give these underrated players the credit they’ve earned.

1. Angkrish Raghuvanshi: Angkrish has been a quiet force for KKR. He doesn’t have a fixed batting spot—KKR sends him wherever needed. Most players struggle without role clarity, but Angkrish thrives on unpredictability. Whether it's No. 5 or 7, he walks in and delivers. What stood out this season was his consistency. He scored over 300 runs, without even batting in the top four. That’s rare. He’s not a name that trends on social media, but he’s a name his captain will write down first on the team sheet.

2. Vipraj Nigam: Here’s a 20-year-old all-rounder from Uttar Pradesh who made heads turn in his debut season. In his very first match, DC were chasing 209, and their top order had collapsed. Vipraj walked in and played like he belonged. I still remember that knock—it wasn’t just fearless, it was smart cricket. His strike rate this season? 179. And he didn’t just shine with the bat. He picked up 11 wickets and bowled tough overs in crunch moments. DC might not have had the best campaign, but Vipraj was one of their few bright spots.

3. Ashutosh Sharma: Ashutosh, Vipraj’s teammate, also deserves a big mention. In that same opening match, after Vipraj laid the platform, Ashutosh applied the finishing touch. Calm, composed, and explosive when needed. What surprises me most is that PBKS didn’t retain him after last season. Imagine him finishing innings alongside Shashank Singh—it could’ve been box-office stuff. Still, I’m glad he found a place at DC and proved why he belongs at this level. India’s bench of finishers is quietly growing—and Ashutosh is part of that pack.

4. Ashwani Kumar: If there’s one thing Mumbai Indians never run out of, it’s young talent. Ashwani Kumar, a left-arm quick with real control and pace, was one of their silent heroes this year. He bowled key spells under pressure and never looked rattled. Even in the Eliminator, he stood out with his accuracy and calmness. What I like most about him is his focus. He doesn’t try to do too much—just sticks to his strengths. And with someone like Paras Mhambrey mentoring him, I’m sure he’ll only get better from here.

5. Sai Kishore: He’s been dominating domestic cricket for a while now, but it’s nice to see Sai Kishore finally getting his dues in the IPL. As Tamil Nadu’s Ranji captain, he brings leadership and maturity to the field. This season, he picked up 19 wickets—many of them in key phases—and kept things tight every time he was thrown the ball. In an era where every batter wants to clear the ropes, watching a finger spinner bowl with such control is refreshing. He doesn’t celebrate wildly. He doesn’t sledge. He just does his job and walks back. That’s class.

The IPL is a mix of glitz, chaos, and fierce competition. While the superstars often steal the show, these players—the unsung heroes—keep the machine running. They don’t always get the awards or the ads, but they’re just as important as anyone else on the team. They’re the kind of cricketers who stay till the end of practice sessions, who quietly analyze their mistakes, and who never stop grinding.

I’ll be back with Part 3 tomorrow.
If there’s someone you think deserves to be here, drop their name in the comments. Let’s not wait for fame to tell their story—let’s do it ourselves.

Thank You,

Advait Kadam

Cricket Analyst

IPL 2025: The Unsung Heroes – Part 1

IPL 2025 has come to an end after over two months of nonstop action and thrill. While the spotlight was on young stars like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel, and Sai Sudarshan, there were several others who made solid contributions quietly. They didn’t always grab headlines, but their performances mattered just as much.

This article is about those players—the ones who gave their all without much hype. And honestly, they deserve just as much appreciation as anyone else.

1. Vijaykumar Vyshak: A 28-year-old fast bowler from Karnataka, Vyshak made the most of the few chances he got. He featured in just five games for Punjab Kings but left a strong impression in every one of them. In his very first appearance, coming in as an Impact Player, he delivered a sharp spell. The final was no different—cool head, accurate bowling, and total control. He’s clearly someone who can deliver whenever called upon. A bright future surely awaits him.

2. Naman Dhir: He’s 25, from Punjab, and found a spot in the mighty Mumbai Indians lineup—a team full of stars. That alone says something. MI discovered him through the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League, and although he usually bats up the order, he was slotted in at No. 7. Despite the shift, he made a huge impact as a finisher, ending the season with a strike rate of 182.60. He brought back memories of a young Hardik Pandya. The hunger, the intent—it’s all there.

3. Aniket Verma: Another fresh face, this time from Madhya Pradesh—a state that's quietly becoming a talent hub. With Nitish Kumar Reddy out of form, Sunrisers Hyderabad needed someone to step up, and Aniket did just that. In his debut season, he scored 236 runs at a strike rate of 166.19. It wasn't just the runs but the way he handled pressure and adapted that stood out. You can tell he belongs here.

4. Ayush Badoni: Ayush has been around since 2022, but this year was different. This time, he played consistently well. For Lucknow Super Giants, whose middle order looked shaky at times, Ayush became the anchor. He finished the season with over 300 runs and a strike rate around 150. With most of LSG's runs coming from the top three, his role in steadying the innings lower down was absolutely vital.

5. Devdutt Padikkal: He’s a different beast when he plays for RCB. After a forgettable phase with Rajasthan Royals, Devdutt returned to RCB this year and looked comfortable from the get-go. He didn’t get a lot of games toward the end because of an injury, but in the matches he did play, he chipped in with meaningful contributions. RCB’s long-awaited title win had many heroes, and Padikkal was quietly one of them.

Not every hero makes headlines, and not every game-changer ends up on highlight reels. Yet, without these players, their teams wouldn’t function the same way. These five didn’t always steal the limelight, but their value was immense. They stepped up when needed, adapted to unfamiliar roles, and gave it their all—even when no one was watching closely.

In every tournament, it's easy to praise the big names. But sometimes, it's those working silently in the background who truly hold things together. These players are a reminder of how deep the talent runs in Indian cricket and how even small contributions can lead to big results.

Part 2 will highlight more of these silent warriors who made IPL 2025 special.

Who do you think should be featured in the next part?
Drop your suggestions in the comments or DM me—your pick might just be included in Part 2!

Thank You,

Advait Kadam

Cricket Analyst