IPL is not only about blistering innings that fetch you an Orange Cap or fiery spells that fetch you a Purple Cap, but there are also some all-round performances or rather just a quickfire innings or 2 quick wickets that an impact sub can bring to the game and turn it. That’s the beauty of the game.
These impacts might not always win a Player of the Match award or be the highlight of the game, but they are more of a tactical counterpart sent by the management to decipher tough situations on the field. It can be an early collapse that would trigger the think tank to send a finisher into the game who might play a quick, impactful innings that takes the team above par or to a respectable total. It might be a bowler who controls the middle order, might not get a wicket but bring the runs down after an explosive powerplay, creating pressure to stumble wickets for others. Over the years, there have been so many underrated impact players whose smart stats and match impact will forever be iconic, like Sunil Narine, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Krunal Pandya and so on.
IPL 2026 has also not failed to amaze us with such underrated impact talents.
five most underrated impact players of IPL 2026:
Nitish Kumar Reddy (SRH)
Nitish Kumar Reddy is a vital all-rounder for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026, anchoring the middle order with a high strike rate (166.91) and delivering crucial wickets with improved pace. He has scored 222 runs and taken 7 wickets in total for SRH this season. He has been impactful with the ball in power play and also finishing in crucial games. His 29 off 13 against PBKS, one important wicket of Prabhsimran Singh in the final overs, giving 11 runs in 2 overs, has been the highlight of SRH’s turnaround this season.
Sameer Rizvi (DC)
Sameer Rizvi was overseen as a key batsman in DC’s lineup after he got acquired for 95 lakhs in IPL 2026 auctions. He delivered back-to-back match-winning innings against LSG(70) and MI (90*). His pace and hitting capabilities are good. Although the season has seen him in a lot of highs and lows but few impactful innings this season include him in this list
Read More: Surya Kumar Yadav Captaincy Record
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (RR)
The 15-year-old wonder kid needs no introduction as he has made heads turn since he debuted in IPL. Although this season his revised form has been a spectacle for RR in powerplay, as he played explosive innings consistently, tactically keeping RR ahead in the game in powerplay only, either in chase or playing in the first innings. He has amassed over 400 runs in 10 innings with an average of 40.40 and a strike rate of 237.65. He also became the youngest and fastest player to reach 1,000 T20 runs, achieving this in just 473 balls. His highlight innings of this season were a 15-ball half-century and a 36-ball half-century.
Devdutt Padikkal (RCB)
Devdutt Padikkal, after getting retained by RCB after the 2025 season, is a reformed open-order batsman. He, along with Virat Kohli’s partnership this season, has been the reason RCB has easily chased down totals and made high scores. He has scored 282 runs in 9 matches at an impressive strike rate of 188.00 and an average of 40.29. His 61 off 26 balls knock against SRH has been most impactful in the high-value run chase.
Read More: Rishabh Pant Captaincy Records
Prasidh Krishna (GT)
Prasidh Krishna has a total of 12 wickets in 7 matches for GT with an economy rate of 10.26. His wicket-taking ability in pressure situations, giving breakthroughs, has had an impact on GT in their games. His notable performances are 3/29 against PBKS and 4/28 against LSG
Rahul Tewatia (GT)-
Rahul Tewatia has been a key finisher for GT in IPL 2026. Rahul Tewatia has played 9 matches for the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026, scoring 78 runs with a highest score of 27* and a strike rate of 120.00.
