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