5 underrated players to watch in the Indian Premier League 2026

The Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy has Sanskrit words engraved on it which translate to "Where talent meets opportunity". The world's biggest and most followed T20 franchise league is indeed known to unearth special talents every season. Though some of them fade away in the following season some rise through the ranks and go from strength to strength.

The glamour of the league sometimes fails to put the spotlight on the emerging talents though. Nevertheless, they play their role to perfection and work towards the team's goals tirelessly match after match without the fanfare their contributions deserve. Following are some of those players who have been proven performers but mostly fly under the radar, and hold substantial promise for the upcoming season.

Here are the five underrated players to watch in IPL 2026 -

1) Ramandeep Singh (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Ramandeep is three seasons old in the IPL. After debuting with Mumbai Indians in 2022 and not getting enough chances there, the all-rounder moved to KKR for the 2024 season. It was a breakout one for the Punjab lad who played 15 matches, indicating the faith shown by the team management. In nine innings, the batter scored 125 runs but given the position that he bats at (seven or eight) his success cannot be measured in terms of runs but strike rate which was 201.61.

In 2025, the 28-year-old's fortunes dwindled as the runs (47) and the strike rate (134.28) both dropped substantially. Of late, the right-hander had a decent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy wherein he scored 209 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 195.32. Given his recent form, Ramandeep is expected to contribute like he did in the 2024 season.

2) Sameer Rizvi (Delhi Capitals)

Rizvi turned heads when he was acquired by Chennai Super Kings for INR 84 million ahead of his debut 2024 season. But unfortunately for him and the franchise, it was a poor season wherein he scored a mere 51 runs from five innings at a strike rate of 118.60. The 22-year-old was released subsequently and Delhi Capitals bought him for a much-reduced INR 9.5 million.

2025 was a much better season in which the all-rounder scored 121 runs from four innings at an improved strike rate of 153.16. Notably, the right-hander played a rapid knock of unbeaten 58 off 25 balls against Punjab Kings in the team's last match of the season which reaffirmed the potential that the Uttar Pradesh cricketer possesses. Rizvi needs more chances and time in the middle so that his true worth comes to light.

3) Shubham Dubey (Rajasthan Royals)

Dubey caught the eyes of the Royals scouts during the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy when the Vidarbha batter scored 221 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 187.28. Subsequently, the Rajasthan franchise bought the 31-year-old for INR 58 million ahead of the 2024 season.

The Yavatmal-born's debut season did not go as planned as he was selected for four games only in which he scored 33 runs at a strike rate of 173.68. The 2025 edition was slightly better, but 106 runs from eight innings at 160 runs per 100 balls was still far from his best. Dubey would hope that he gets more chances this season as the power-hitter would be itching to be in the middle and change games in a flash.

4) Prince Yadav (Lucknow Super Giants)

Prince is known for bowling yorkers at the death on a consistent basis. The Delhi pacer's ability to hit the blockhole and keep it tight is what his reputation is built on. The right-armer was a regular in tennis-ball tournaments in and around Delhi and graduated to leather-ball cricket only after the age of 17.

In the 2024/25 domestic season, the 24-year-old was Delhi's highest wicket-taker in both the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy which led to him being bought by LSG for INR 3 million. The pacer's first season was not up to the mark though as he picked up just three wickets in six innings at an economy rate of 9.85. Although there is talent it needs honing and hopefully Prince has been working hard to compete in top-flight cricket. Who knows, this might be his breakout season.

5) Manimaran Siddharth (Lucknow Super Giants)

Manimaran is a slow left-arm spinner who possesses the ability to drift the ball away from the right-handers. The 27-year-old has been around in the IPL circuit since 2020 after being bought by KKR for INR 2 million, but did not get an opportunity until the 2024 edition when he was acquired for INR 24 million by LSG. The quirky spinner did not get much game time though, playing just three matches. But notably, the only wicket that he scalped that season was Virat Kohli's which put the Tamil Nadu lad into the spotlight.

The Lucknow franchise released the bowler ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, but bought him back for a much reduced price of INR 7.5 million though. It was a similar story once again as the left-armer failed to get enough games (only two) to show off his skills. The spinner is highly talented and deserves more game time and hopefully LSG would provide him with that this season.