The IPL 2026 season has brought many discussions among cricket fans, and one recent opinion from former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has caught a lot of attention.
During a rapid-fire segment on the show Winners Stays On by CricketMAN2, Tiwary was asked to name the most underrated player in IPL history. Instead of choosing famous names like Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, or Yusuf Pathan, he picked Rajasthan Royals fast bowler Sandeep Sharma.
His choice surprised many fans and sparked a new debate about underrated players in the league.
Round 1: Wriddhiman Saha vs Shaun Marsh
In the first comparison, Tiwary was asked to choose between Wriddhiman Saha and Shaun Marsh.
He selected Saha, pointing out his long IPL career and his contributions both with the bat and as a wicketkeeper.
| Player | Matches | Runs | Strike Rate | Other Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaun Marsh | 71 | 2477 | 132.74 | – |
| Wriddhiman Saha | 170 | 2934 | – | 119 dismissals (93 catches, 26 stumpings) |
Saha’s long career and impact behind the stumps helped him move ahead in this round.
Round 2: Wriddhiman Saha vs Yusuf Pathan
In the next round, Yusuf Pathan entered the comparison. Pathan is widely known for his explosive batting and all-round abilities.
However, Tiwary again chose Saha over Pathan.
| Player | Key IPL Stats |
|---|---|
| Yusuf Pathan | 3204 runs in 154 innings, 42 wickets in 82 matches |
| Wriddhiman Saha | 2934 runs in 170 matches, 119 dismissals |
Even with Pathan’s impressive all-round record, Tiwary continued to back Saha in the rapid-fire round.
Sandeep Sharma Named the Most Underrated IPL Player
The discussion took an interesting turn when Sandeep Sharma’s name came up.
At that moment, Tiwary switched his choice and selected Sandeep Sharma as the most underrated player in IPL history.
He praised the bowler for his consistent performances over many seasons, especially his ability to swing the ball and take wickets in the powerplay.
| Player | IPL Career Stats |
|---|---|
| Sandeep Sharma | 140 matches |
| Wickets | 149 |
| Average | 27.87 |
| Economy | 8.05 |
Sandeep Sharma has played for several IPL teams including Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Rajasthan Royals. In IPL 2026, he continues to represent Rajasthan Royals.
According to Tiwary, Sharma’s long-term consistency and ability to deliver important breakthroughs make him one of the most underrated players in IPL history.
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Famous Players Who Were Not Chosen
Tiwary’s selection became even more surprising because several famous IPL stars were also part of the discussion.
Some of the big names that were not chosen include:
| Player | IPL Record |
|---|---|
| Jacques Kallis | 2427 runs and 65 wickets in 98 matches |
| Rajat Bhatia | 342 runs and 71 wickets in 91 matches |
| Shikhar Dhawan | One of the top run-scorers in IPL history |
| Ambati Rayudu | Multiple IPL titles and consistent middle-order batter |
Other players mentioned during the discussion included Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Manish Pandey, Mitchell McClenaghan, Chris Lynn, Amit Mishra, Piyush Chawla, Krunal Pandya, Albie Morkel, and James Faulkner.
Despite such strong competition, Tiwary stayed firm with his choice of Sandeep Sharma.
Sandeep Sharma has often played important roles for his teams but rarely receives the same attention as many star players.
His ability to swing the ball early, control the powerplay overs, and maintain consistency over multiple IPL seasons makes him valuable for any team.
Tiwary’s opinion highlighted this point and sparked discussions among fans about how some players quietly perform well without always getting the recognition they deserve.
The debate about underrated IPL players continues, but for Manoj Tiwary, Sandeep Sharma clearly stands at the top of that list.
