IPL 2026: Team-wise unsung heroes of the season

Another exhilarating season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has come to a close as the T20 extravaganza brought the fans to the edge of their seats with some riveting action throughout the tournament. While some teams had a memorable campaign in the season after remaining in the upper rungs of the points table, others didn’t have a tournament to remember and got knocked out in the league stage itself.

Whether the teams qualified for the playoffs or not, all were full of performers who rose to the occasion time and again to bail them out of trouble. However, there were a few unsung heroes as well, who flew under the radar quietly doing their job throughout the event. Here are the unsung heroes of all ten teams of IPL 2026:

1. Venkatesh Iyer (RCB)

The southpaw only got a handful of chances during the season, but played several impactful innings. He scored a crucial 73* (40) against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) that helped RCB register an important win and finish at the top of the points table. Iyer further played a quick-fire cameo (32* off 16) in the final against Gujarat Titans (GT).  He finished the season with 209 runs from six innings at an average of 52.25 and a strike rate of 186.60, filling in the void at different places in RCB's batting lineup.

2. Washington Sundar (GT)

The southpaw held Gujarat Titans’ middle order together with his useful contributions throughout the campaign. He played three back-to-back match-winning innings of 40* (23) (vs Punjab Kings), 37* (20) (vs Rajasthan Royals) and 50 (33) (vs Sunrisers Hyderabad). He also contributed with another half-century (50* off 37) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the final, but unfortunately ended up on the losing side. Sundar finished the season with 377 runs from 16 innings at an average of 37.70 and a strike rate of 150.19, along with picking one wicket with the ball.

3. Donovan Ferreira (RR)

Ferreira made several crucial lower-order contributions for Rajasthan Royals (RR) throughout the season. He scored a match-winning 52* (26) against Punjab Kings to help RR chase down a massive target of 223. The 27-year-old further scored a quick-fire 47* (14) against Delhi Capitals (DC), along with a cameo of 38* (11) in Qualifier 2 against Gujarat Titans. Ferreria finished the season with 317 runs from 13 innings at an average of 35.22 and a strike rate of 179.09.

4. Nitish Kumar Reddy (SRH)

The seam all-rounder always stood up for his team in trouble, making valuable contributions with both bat and ball. He was adjudged Player of the Match in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) first victory of the season against Kolkata Knight Riders for scoring 39 (24), along with scalping 2/17 in his two overs. He scored another brilliant half-century (56 off 33) in the following fixture against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to help his team rescue from a precarious position of 26/4 in 7.1 overs. He finished the season with 302 runs at a strike rate of 171.59, along with taking eight wickets. 

5. Suryansh Shedge (PBKS)

The 23-year-old became the find of the season for Punjab Kings courtesy of his handy contributions in the middle order. He scored his maiden half-century against Gujarat Titans (GT), playing a brilliant innings of 57 (29) studded with three fours and five sixes to rescue his team after a top-order collapse. Courtesy of his consistent performances, Shedge is gradually establishing himself as Punjab Kings’ rescue man in the seasons to come. He finished the season with 158 runs from seven innings at an average of 39.50 and a strike rate of 175.55 with one fifty to his name.

6. Ashutosh Sharma (DC)

Delhi Capitals left Ashutosh Sharma on the sidelines for much of the first half of the season before eventually recognising his value as a finisher. The 27-year-old produced several impactful cameos in the latter stages of the campaign, playing a decisive role in wins over Rajasthan Royals (twice), Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders. He finished the season with 171 runs from eight innings at an average of 34.20 and a strike rate of 181.91.

7. Kartik Tyagi (KKR)

The IPL 2026 will always be remembered as the renaissance of Kartik Tyagi, who became a vital cog in Kolkata Knight Riders’ bowling attack throughout their campaign. Unfortunately, Tyagi’s finest performances of the season came against Rajasthan Royals (3/22) as he played a crucial role in his team's four-wicket victory. He also took 3/32 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, albeit in a losing cause. He finished the season as KKR's highest wicket taker with 18 wickets from 13 innings at an average of 27.66 and an economy of 9.76.

8. Kartik Sharma (CSK)

Being signed for a whopping INR 14.2 Crore at the auction by Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Kartik Sharma came into the season under immense pressure of his price tag. After a sluggish start to the season, he finally found his feet against Mumbai Indians (MI), scoring a match-winning half-century (54* off 40) alongside captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. He followed it up with another match-winning 41* (31) against Delhi Capitals (DC). The right-handed batter registered his best score of the season (71 off 42) against LSG, albeit in a losing cause. Sharma finished the season with 295 runs from 11 innings at an average of 32.77 and a strike rate of 136.57 with two fifties to his name.

9. Corbin Bosch (MI)

In a season where Mumbai Indians’ (MI) struggled massively with the ball, Bosch’s performances came as a breath of fresh air in the latter stages of the tournament. He scalped a magnificent four-wicket haul (4/26) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), which led to a thrilling last ball finish. He further put his all-round skills on display against Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring 32* (18) and later picking 3/30 with the ball in his three overs. He finished the season with 12 wickets from just six innings and also chipped in with 50 runs at a strike rate of 161.29.

10. Prince Yadav (LSG)

The right-arm speedster was the find of the season for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Yadav was one of the rare bright spots for LSG in an otherwise forgettable season. He registered his best figures against RCB of 3/32 in three overs, but it was his second three-wicket haul (3/33) against the same opposition at home that proved to be a lot more memorable. During the game, he got the prized scalp of Virat Kohli and set up a nine-run victory for his team. Yadav finished IPL 2026 as LSG’s leading wicket taker with 16 wickets to his name from 14 innings at an average of 28.68 and an economy of 8.82.