The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is just weeks away. All 10 teams have nearly geared up for the mega event that is set to run for nearly two months. The IPL is scheduled to start from 28 March, as the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the first game of the tournament.
Due to the Assembly Elections in India, the IPL and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have just announced the fixtures for the first 20 games of the competition. Over the years, the competition has produced some of the great talents for India National Cricket Team; similarly, this year, some cricketers are ready to make their mark.
The 2025 auction saw some big bids on uncapped Indian players like Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer. Now, from overseas cricketers to Indian youngsters, a few cricketers are to be looked at in this season. Below, we list the top three underrated players who could shock everyone this season with their breathtaking performances.
Your daily dose of cricket!
3 Underrated Players Could Shock Everyone This IPL Season
Urvil Patel: Chennai Super Kings
Urvil Patel shocked everyone in the previous edition of the league with his amazing hitting quality. He was unsold during the auction; however, he came in as a replacement for Vansh Bedi in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) side. The batter made his debut against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and scored quick fire 31 off 11 balls.
Urvil Patel has played just three games for CSK, scoring 68 runs with an average of 22.67. The strike rate has been astonishing to watch, as the wicket-keeper batter has a strike rate of 212.50. He has been seen hitting the nets in Chennai and has been striking the ball out of the ground. He might be one of the most underrated players to watch out for.
Pathum Nissanka: Delhi Capitals
Pathum Nissanka has been one of the batters in fine form during the T20 World Cup 2026. The Sri Lankan opener was the highest run scorer for the side, scoring 211 runs in seven innings, a hundred against Australia in the group stages. The aggressive opener also scored one fifty as well.
Pathum Nissanka was picked by the Delhi Capitals for INR 4 crore during the IPL 2026 mini-auction. He was brought in to strengthen the team’s top-order batting. He is likely to make his IPL debut during the 2026 season and can be one of the most underrated players in the IPL.
Blessing Muzarabani: Kolkata Knight Riders
Blessing Muzarabani was excellent during the T20 World Cup 2026. He finished in the top 5 leading wicket-takers list in the major tournament. He picked up 13 wickets in the tournament and helped Zimbabwe qualify for the Super 8 stages. He was excellent in Sri Lanka. The pacer pulled out from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) due to the IPL.
The lanky pacer has joined KKR for the upcoming season of the tournament. He joined as the replacement of Mustafizur Rahman, who was forced out due to rising tensions between India and Bangladesh. With a height of nearly 7 feet, Muzarabani will generate extra bounce and pace from the wickets of Eden Gardens and might also be crucial for KKR.
Also Read: KKR CEO Venky Mysore reveals real reasons behind not having teams in The Hundred and SA20
