Indian Premier League is arguably the most challenging out of all the T20 leagues in the world. The competition to make it to a franchise’s playing XI is cut-throat. Oftentimes, a lot of top-notch players are benched for a majority of the season and the same was the case of IPL 2021. In this article, we will share with you IPL 2021’s Underestimated Players XI. Every player who was in the 25-man squad of any IPL franchise but featured in three or less games was considered for selection. Here we go.
1. Ajinkya Rahane (DC)
In 141 IPL innings thus far, Rahane has 3941 runs under his belt. He’s smashed 2 centuries and 28 half-centuries in his whole career. Rahane is also Rajasthan Royal’s highest run-getter in the tournament’s history. With Rishab Pant, Prithvi Shaw, Iyer, and Dhawan already in their ranks, Delhi Capitals could offer Ajinkya just two games this season.
2. Chris Lynn (MI)
The right-handed opener hails from Queensland, Australia. 31-year-old Lynn strikes the ball close to 140 and averages 34.08 in his IPL career. While most of his success came at the top of the order while representing Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL 2021 saw Lynn getting just one game where he scored 49 runs.
3. Sheldon Jackson (KKR)
T20 career average of 25 and agility with the gloves in hand make him the ideal number three. The left-handed batter isn’t a big-hitter, but his strike-rotation would compliment Chris Lynn’s aggressive style of play. Sheldon didn’t get a game this season.
4. Tim David (RCB)
New to the arena of the Indian Premier League but not new to the T20 circuit at all. T20I average of 46.5 to go with a strike-rate of almost 160, what else can one ask? David got immense success in the latest edition of CPL but wasn’t seen playing much for RCB.
5. Mandeep Singh (PBKS)
Mandeep once won the IPL Emerging Player of The Year Award. Back in 2013-2015, Mandeep would often bail Punjab Kings out of batting collapses. Also, he’s an absolute live-wire in the field.
6. Mohammad Nabi (c) (SRH)
He is the man who leads Afghanistan cricket’s resurgence. Nabi has an IPL strike-rate in excess of 150 and an economy of just over 7 runs per over. Therefore, he’s best suited to stop the run-flow in the powerplay and give some finishing touches when needed. Nabi also doubles up as the side’s captain since he has international captaincy experience and doesn’t wilt under pressure.
7. Mohammed Azharuddin (RCB)
Azharuddin took one and all by storm, owing to his splendid hundred in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021. Although he didn’t get a look-in from RCB this season, he makes it to IPL 2021’s Ultimate Bench XI as a finisher, courtesy of his big-hitting ability.
8. Tim Southee (vc) (KKR)
Southee makes it to the playing eleven on his current form. For a major part of the year, Southee was the sole pacer in the top 10 of the ICC T20I bowling ranking. Having lead the black-caps in 12 triumphs from 18 matches he’s captained them in, Southee will also be side’s vice-captain. In the three IPL games he played this season, his cunning variations were absolute gold in death overs. An out-and-out outswinger, Southee is our side’s wicket-taking option with the new ball too.
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9. Kuldeep Yadav (KKR)
The chinaman spinner was Gautam Gambhir’s go-to man whenever he played under him. But KKR’s current management didn’t give him a single chance this season. Kuldeep has 41 T20I wickets to his name, at a staggering average of just 14.22 runs per wicket. When on song, he can easily bamboozle the best in the business.
10. Piyush Chawla (MI)
The veteran leg-spinner can maneuver the middle overs as well as anyone. There’s q reason why Chawla happens to be the league’s 4th-highest wicket-taker ever, with 157 wickets @27.39 to his name.
11. Umran Malik (SRH)
SRH’s find of the season, Umran completes our IPL 2021 Ultimate Bench XI as he featured in just three games this season. Umran consistently bowls around 150 Kmph mark and his fastest delivery came against Mumbai Indians, clocked at 152.95 Kmph.
Note: Adhering to IPL’s official format, only four overseas players find a place in IPL 2021 Ultimate Bench XI.