India is a cricket-crazed nation that has created some of the world’s best players. Unfortunately, many Indian cricketers have not earned the respect they ought to have. These most underrated Indian cricketers made vital impacts on Indian cricket. But their more prominent peers have overshadowed them.
These Indian cricketers originate from various eras. They have left their impact on numerous forms of the game.
This article looks at some of the most underrated Indian cricketers who have achieved success at the highest level. They do not always receive recognition according to their merit. But they have made vital contributions to the Indian cricket team. Here are our picks for 10 of the most underrated Indian cricketers.
Table of Contents
The List of the Underrated Indian Players
| SL No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Gautam Gambhir |
| 2 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar |
| 3 | Shikhar Dhawan |
| 4 | Wriddhiman Saha |
| 5 | Ishant Sharma |
| 6 | Dinesh Karthik |
| 7 | Cheteshwar Pujara |
| 8 | Ajinkya Rahane |
| 9 | Ambarti Rayudu |
| 10 | Kedar Jadhav |
1. Gautam Gambhir
- Full Name: Gautam Gambhir
- D.O.B: 26.03.1985
- Nation: India
- Role: All-rounder
- Batting Style: Right Handed
- Bowling Style: Right-arm off break
Gautam Gambhir is one of the most underrated Indian cricketers. Gambhir was one of the most consistent Indian batsmen of his time. He scored over 9000 runs in international cricket, with 20 centuries and 56 half-centuries across the all-formats of his career.
Gambhir was renowned for working well under duress. India won both the 2007 T20 World Cup final and the 2011 World Cup final.
The Kolkata Knight Riders won two IPL championships under Gambhir’s leadership in 2012 and 2014. His leadership style was combative and he had a talent for motivating his team members.
Other Indian greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Virender Sehwag frequently outshine him. He is an one of the underrated cricket players who deserves more credit for his successes.
Records of Underrated Indian Player Gautam Gambhir
| Major Records | Test | ODI | T20I |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second hundreds in successive Test encounters (5). | 15th-best second-wicket partnership (314). | Most runs scored in an inning (by batting position): 21st (150*) | The 32nd-best first-wicket partnership (136). |
| Third Fifties in straight Test encounters (11). | A hundred and ninety in a game. | 37th Most run scored by a captain in a game (138*) | – |
| Third Fifties in straight Test encounters (11). | 28th best partnership for the fourth wicket (278). | 35th in career most nineties (4). | – |
| In One-Day Internationals, he has the 10th most hundreds against a single side (6). | – | 11th Best third-wicket partnership (224). | – |
| – | – | 11th highest partnership for the fifth wicket (184*) | – |
2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Full Name: Bhuvneshwar Kumar Singh
- D.O.B: 05.02.1990
- Nation: India
- Role: Bowler
- Batting Style: Right Handed
- Bowling Style: Right-arm fast-medium
One of India’s underrated cricket players has contributed significantly over the years. He is so well for his ability to swing the ball both ways and for his deft speed changes.
Despite consistently performing well for India, he is sometimes crickets’ one of the most underrated Indian cricketers in favor of flashier players.
India benefits from his lower-order striking and death-over-bowling skills under pressure. He made his T20 International career debut against Pakistan in 2012. After a few days, he made his ODI debut against Pakistan. He grabbed over 140 wickets in ODIs and over 90 in T20 Internationals. In February 2013, he made his test debut against Australia.
In February 2018, he became the second Indian bowler, after Yuzvendra Chahal, to capture five wickets in a T20I against South Africa in Johannesburg.
Records of Underrated Indian Player Bhuvneshwar Kumar
| Major Records | Test | T20I |
|---|---|---|
| 8th in Test matches for superb bowling analyses in an inning (4/8). | He has the 17th-highest tenth-wicket partnership (111). | In an inning, the 20th-best economy rate was achieved (1.00). |
| In Twenty20 Internationals, he has received the most player-of-the-series honors (3). | – | Tenth most caught wickets (61). |
| In Twenty20 Internationals, he has the second most maidens in an inning (2). | – | 4th highest number of wickets in a calendar year (37). |
| In Twenty20 Internationals, he has the fifth most four-wicket innings (5) in his career. | – | 7th most wickets were caught by a wicketkeeper (12). |
| – | – | 2nd in career maidens (10). |
3. Shikhar Dhawan
Full Name: Shikhar Dhawan
- D.O.B: 05.12.1985
- Nation: India
- Role: Batsman
- Batting Style: Left Handed
- Bowling Style: Right-arm off break
We all know Shikhar Dhawan for his hard-hitting performances and cover drive with a great stance. He is always upbeat and assured in the wicket. He also has a flamboyant demeanor due to his ever-changing look.These one of the underrated cricket players is a match winner on multiple occasions.
In the under-19 world cup, he impressed everyone with his batting. Then, in IPL and domestic cricket, he made consistent performances. As a result, he debuted in an ODI against Australia. One of the most underrated Indian cricketers, Dhawan scored 143 against Australia in 2019 in his ODI career.
He debuted in T20 International in 2011 against the West Indies. In 2013, he also debuted in test cricket against Australia. In 2022, he captained the squad to a series win over the West Indies.
Records of Underrated Indian Player Shikhar Dhawan
| Major Records | Test | ODI | T20I |
|---|---|---|---|
| He scored a century (187) on his debut in test matches. | 20th most runs scored in a debut match (187). | 27th Oldest captain making his captaincy debut (35y 225d). | 16th Highest third-wicket partnership (130). |
| In One-Day Internationals, he has the most catches in an inning (4). | 47th-highest second-wicket partnership (253). | 49th Most player-of-the-series honors (3). | 14th highest number of runs in a calendar year (689). |
| In One-Day Internationals, he has 5000 runs and 50 fielding dismissals. | – | 9th most series catches (13). | 28th most fifty in a career (11). |
| In One-Day Internationals, he is the fifth fastest to 6000 runs (140). | – | The second most catches in an inning (4). | – |
4. Wriddhiman Saha
Full name: Wriddhiman Prasanta Saha
- D.O.B: 24.10.1984
- Nation: India
- Role: Wicket Keeper Batsman
- Batting Style: Right Handed
Known for his superb glovework and fast reactions, Wriddhiman Saha is one of India’s best wicket keepers. He has been a frequent member of the Indian Test team. Wriddhiman has contributed significantly to several of India’s overseas Test triumphs.
Despite his consistent efforts, he is widely regarded as one of the most underrated Indian players on the Indian cricket scene. This one of the underrated cricket players is a contributor to many test victories.
In the 2009-10 Ranji season, he scored 318 runs in five games and was named to the team for the first Test career against South Africa at home.
He debuted in ODI against New Zealand in November 2010. In 2014, Saha had been an understudy since Dhoni retired and consolidated his position in the team after Dhoni retired from Test cricket.
Records of Underrated Indian Cricketer Wriddhiman Saha
| Major Records | Test |
|---|---|
| In a Test match, there were two undefeated fifties. | 5th in innings with the most dismissals (6). |
| In Test matches, a replacement has the most catches (4). | The fourth most denials in a match (10). |
| – | 38th highest stumping in a career (12). |
| – | 47th in terms of career catches (92). |
5. Ishant Sharma
Full Name: Ishant Sharma
- D.O.B: 02.09.1988
- Nation: India
- Role: Bowler
- Batting Style: Right Handed
- Bowling Style: Right-arm fast-medium
Ishant Sharma, one of the most underrated Indian cricketers, is noted for his tall physics. He bowls with a fierce pace in a rhythmic style. In 2007, he debuted in test cricket against Bangladesh in the absence of Munaf Patel.
His inswing and outswing are dangerous for the batsman. With the delivery of 150 km/h, Ishant made a sensation. In February 2008, he debuted in the t20 against Australia. A few injuries put his career on the back foot.
This one of the underrated cricket players’ performances in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia was crucial to India’s unprecedented series victory, with 11 wickets in four matches.
But this one of the most underrated Indian cricketers made a spot in test cricket. In his test career, he already took 300+ wickets.
Records of Underrated Indian Cricketer Ishant Sharma
| Test |
|---|
| 31st highest wickets in test career (311). |
| In test cricket,19th youngest player in history to grab five wickets in an inning (19y 97d). |
| In test cricket, the 34th Youngest player in history is to take ten wickets in a match (22y 299d). |
| 47th Most series player of the year honors (3). |
6. Dinesh Karthik
Full Name: Krishnakumar Dinesh Karthik
- D.O.B: 01.06.1985
- Nation: India
- Role: Wicket Keeper Batsman
- Batting Style: Right Handed
Dinesh Kartik is undoubtedly one of India’s most underrated Indian cricketers. Despite his steady domestic and IPL achievements, he has not always been a regular member of the Indian national squad.
As a result, this one of the underrated cricket players has not earned adequate appreciation for his cricketing abilities. He remains a vital asset for India. He represents and continues to deliver his effort when he gets the chance.
(Credit: Getty Images)
In 2004, he made his debut in an ODI against England, stumping Vaughan and taking another catch. Karthik debuted in test cricket in November 2004 against Australia.
His cricketing career was in the shadow of the M.S. Dhoni. In 2006, he debuted in T20 Internationals against South Africa. So far, he has made 168 catches and stamps for India in three international formats.
Records of Underrated Indian Player Dinesh Karthik
| Major Records | T20I |
|---|---|
| In Twenty20 Internationals, he has the eighth most dismissals in innings (4). | Seventh wicket’s 24th-highest partnership (63*). |
| In Twenty20 Internationals, he has the eighth-highest strike rate per innings (362.50). | 25th most career stumpings (8). |
| – | Eighth-most outs in an inning (4). |
7. Cheteshwar Pujara
Full Name: Cheteshwar Arvind Pujara
- D.O.B: 25.01.1988
- Nation: India
- Role: Batsman
- Batting Style: RightHanded
- Bowling Style: Right-arm leg break
One of the most underestimated cricketers in the current era is Cheteshwar Pujara. He doesn’t always receive the credit he merits despite his steady performances and services to the Indian cricket squad.
Pujara excels in Test cricket, especially in difficult circumstances, because of his superb temperament and sound technique. His defensive mentality with temperamental skills established him in test cricket after the Rahul Dravid era.
After performing well in first-class cricket for several years, he made his test debut for the country against Australia in 2010. In his test career, Pujara already scored 7000+ runs in 98 matches.
He debuted in ODI against Zimbabwe in 2013. But he played only five games in ODI. Cheteshwar Pujara is one of the underrated cricket players who has been instrumental in India’s recent success in test cricket.
Records of Underrated Indian player Cheteshwar Pujara
| Major Records | Test |
|---|---|
| One hundred and ninety in a Test match. | In a career, there have been 28 double hundreds (3). |
| In five-day Test matches, there is batting on each day. | 21st century in a row of matches (3). |
| Fifty fielding dismissals and 5000 runs in test matches. | 20th-highest seventh-wicket partnership (199). |
8. Ajinkya Rahane
Full Name: Ajinkya Madhukar Rahane
- D.O.B: 06.06.1988
- Nation: India
- Role: Batsman
- Batting Style: Right Handed
- Bowling Style: Right-arm Medium
Indian former captain, we know Rahane for his top-order batting skills. In domestic cricket, Rahane made his name with his impressive performance. Year after year, Rahane dominated domestic cricket.
Because of his brilliant performance, he got a chance for the ODI team in 2011. Rahane made his Test debut in March 2013 after months of sitting on the bench and traveling with the Test team. He is crickets’ one of the most underrated Indian cricketers who debuted in the t20 format against England in 2011.
Rahane scored his first Test century against New Zealand in the drawn Test in Wellington. With his captaincy, the most underrated cricketer, Rahane amazed all the fans. In his career, this one of the most underrated cricket players stamped his authority in every format of cricket.
Records of Underrated Indian Ajinkya Rahane
| Test | ODI | T20I |
|---|---|---|
| Test matches with the most catches (8) against Sri Lanka at Galle. | Thirteenth Fifty in a row (5) in ODI cricket. | Most number of catches in an inning (4) in t20 cricket. |
He has the most catches in an inning (5) and matches (8). | The 21st highest partnership for a first wicket (231 runs) in ODI cricket. | 36th-highest total in a debut game (61). |
9. Ambarti Rayudu
Full Name: Ambati Thirupathi Rayudu
- D.O.B: 23.09.1985
- Nation: India
- Role: Batsman
- Batting Style: Right Handed
- Bowling Style: Right-arm off break
Ambati Rayudu is one of the most underrated Indian cricketers.
Despite performing consistently well in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL), he did not receive the recognition he deserved in international cricket.
This one of the most underrated cricket players made his ODI career debut for India in 2013. But he had to wait because of the presence of experienced players in the squad.He displayed his talent with some exceptional performances at every opportunity.
Rayudu made 1694 runs at an average of 47.06 in 55 ODIs for India, including three hundred and ten half-centuries. He also had a respectable hit percentage of 79.04 percent.
In 2014, he debuted in T20 Internationals against England . He was in excellent shape during his IPL career. However, he did not get enough opportunities for the national team.
Records of Underrated Indian Player Ambati Rayudu
| ODI |
|---|
| He has the 23rd-highest batting average (47.05). |
| 11th highest sixth-wicket partnership (160). |
10. Kedar Jadhav
Full Name: Kedar Mahadav Jadhav
- D.O.B: 26.03.1985
- Nation: India
- Role: All-rounder
- Batting Style: Right Handed
- Bowling Style: Right-arm off break
Kedar Jadhav is a talented Indian cricketer who has played for the Indian national team in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
While Jadhav has displayed flashes of brilliance throughout his career, he has not gotten the respect and admiration he merits. Jadhav’s batting technique is unconventional. He is renowned for quickly scoring runs, particularly in the middle overs. He’s also a useful part-time bowler who can pitch in with catches when required.
This one of the most underrated cricket players exploits in the 2019 World Cup were especially notable, as he was instrumental in India’s victories over Australia and New Zealand. He also played a vital role in Chennai Super Kings’ IPL title-winning season in 2018. In his career, he scored two centuries and six fifties in 73 matches in ODI.
Records of Underrated Indian Cricketer Kedar Jadhav
| Major Records | ODI |
|---|---|
| In One-Day Internationals, he has the 10th most runs in a game (by batting position) (120). | 49th-best career batting average (42.09). |
First excellent bowling analysis in a One-Day International session (1/0). | 31st highest strike rate in a career. |
Last Words
In conclusion, despite their substantial accomplishments in the game, several Indian cricketers have been underrated and neglected over the years.
In contrast, their achievements on the field highlight their ability, skill, and dedication to the game. We should recognize and respect these underrated Indian cricketers and give them the credit they deserve.
Hopefully, increased knowledge and recognition will motivate future generations of Indian cricketers to follow in their paths and accomplish confirmed success.
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I am Accountant by profession but a Sports Blogger by passion.
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