Unveiling the Most Underrated IPL Player: Sandeep Sharma Takes the Spotlight

The Indian Premier League 2026: A Platform for Hidden Gems

The ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) is in full swing, and former Indian batter and cricket pundit Manoj Tiwary has added some spice with his bold yet shocking picks. In a recent segment on Cricbuzz’s Winners Stays On, Tiwary was asked to reveal the most underrated player in IPL history, and his choice left everyone stunned.

A Surprise Choice: Overlooking the Big Names

Tiwary overlooked big names like Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Yusuf Pathan, and even legends like Jacques Kallis, and instead picked an Indian star who has been consistently performing in the league. The segment began with a Shaun Marsh vs Wriddhiman Saha question, and without hesitation, Tiwary backed Saha.

• Shaun Marsh played 71 matches, amassing 2477 runs at a strike rate of 132.74.
• Wriddhiman Saha has 2934 runs and 119 (93 catches, 26 stumpings) dismissals to his name in 170 IPL games.

Then came Rajat Bhatia’s name, and once again, Tiwary picked Saha over the former all-rounder, who has 342 runs in 49 innings and 71 wickets in 91 games. Even Yusuf Pathan, one of the IPL’s most impactful all-rounders, was ignored by Tiwary for Saha.

The Rise of Sandeep Sharma

However, when Sandeep Sharma’s name entered the contest, Manoj Tiwary didn’t change his mind till the last name during the segment. Without a second thought, the cricket pundit dropped Saha and picked Sandeep over him. Sandeep is known for his swing bowling and powerplay heroics.

• Sandeep has played 140 matches for teams like Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and Rajasthan Royals (44).
• He has 149 wickets at an average of 27.87 and an economy rate of 8.05 to his name till date.

Well, Jacques Kallis, considered the complete package and one of the greatest-ever all-rounders, was still overlooked by Tiwary, who shockingly went with Sandeep Sharma over the Proteas legend.

A List of Overlooked Stars

Not just Kallis, who finished his IPL career with 2,427 runs and 65 wickets in 98 matches, Tiwary ignored some of the big names like Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Manish Pandey, Mitchell McClenaghan, Chris Lynn, Amit Mishra, Piyush Chawla, Shikhar Dhawan, Krunal Pandya, Albie Morkel, Ambati Rayudu, and James Faulkner.

Eventually, Tiwary has backed Sandeep Sharma as the most underrated player in IPL history during the rapid-fire round. His decision to overlook these stars for Sandeep left many shocked. In the ongoing season, only Sandeep, Manish, and Pandya are in action for different teams.

Conclusion: The Unsung Hero of the IPL

Sandeep Sharma, the Indian star, has been consistently performing in the league, and his skills have finally been recognized by Manoj Tiwary. As the IPL 2026 continues to unfold, it will be exciting to see how Sandeep Sharma and other underrated players perform and make a name for themselves in the cricketing world.