5 unsung heroes from IPL 2016

After the ICC World T20 in March-April 2016, it was always going to be difficult for the Indian Premier League (IPL) to follow the excitement that the World T20 brought. However, after a slow start, the IPL did have its own moments with some great batting displays from the likes of Virat Kohli, David Warner, and AB de Villiers.

With the ball, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the pick as he ended up being the purple cap holder with Shane Watson and Yuzvendra Chahal close behind him. All the aforementioned players were all touted to do well in the tournament and performed to their billing.

As the two-month long mega-event came to an end, we take a look at some of the players who probably did not receive the credit they deserved. Here are five of the unsung heroes of IPL 9:

#5 – Sreenath Aravind

After joining the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) during the 2015 IPL season, Sreenath Aravind came up with a supreme bowling performance finishing with figures of 4/27 against Kings XI Punjab in his very first game. Following this performance, Aravind's form waned as he picked up only 4 more wickets that season.

The 32-year-old did not play the earlier matches of IPL 2016, however, when he was brought into the squad, Aravind came up with consistent performances and helping his side pick up early wickets.

In 9 matches, Aravind picked up 11 wickets at an impressive average of 19.63 and an economy rate of 7.40. Aravind picked up at least one wicket in every game, except the Qualifier 1 match against Gujarat Lions.

Rayudu had a great start to IPL 2016

#4 – Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu was one of Mumbai Indians’ most consistent players during what was a disappointing IPL campaign for the defending champions. In 12 innings this season, Rayudu scored 334 runs at an average of 30.36 and a strike rate of 120.14. He also had two fifties to his name.

Rayudu finished the season as Mumbai's second highest run-getter, only behind captain Rohit Sharma. Although the 30-year-old lost his way in the second half of the tournament, his valuable contributions at No. 3 were vital in Mumbai's early season wins.

Sran played a good supporting role with the ball for SRH

#3 – Barinder Sran

When a bowler is in the same squad as Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ashish Nehra, and Mustafizur Rahman, it is always going to be difficult to make a name for himself. That is exactly the situation that Barinder Sran was in this IPL season.

With one of the strongest bowling lineups of all the IPL teams, Sran kept the likes of Trent Boult on the bench with good performances picking up 14 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 29.50. His 3/28 in the 12th match of the IPL against Mumbai Indians was crucial to SRH winning the match, although his performance was overshadowed by Warner's unbeaten knock of 90.

Sandeep Sharma (R) has the ability to bowl well in the start as well as in the death overs

#2 – Sandeep Sharma

Kings XI Punjab might have had yet another disappointing IPL, but they can cheer up about the performance of one of their bowling stars from the 2015 edition. Sandeep Sharma found himself during last year's IPL that earned him a call-up to the national side.

The 23-year-old seemed to only get better this season as he continued his accurate bowling at the start of the innings as well as in the death overs. Sandeep played 14 matches and picked up 15 wickets at an average of 24.40 and an economy rate of 7.32.

Kulkarni's ability to swing the ball has helped him pick up important wickets for his side

#1 – Dhawal Kulkarni

Not many people gave Gujarat Lions a chance at the start of the IPL. However, the Suresh Raina-led side were one of the most impressive sides throughout the tournament after some good batting performances by the batsmen and the bowlers.

With Dwayne Bravo, one of the best T20 bowlers in the world, not living up to his billing during this edition of the IPL, the onus was on other bowlers to step up and perform. Dhawal Kulkarni was easily the best bowler in the Lions’ setup as he picked up 18 wickets in 14 matches at an impressive average of 20.22 and an economy rate of 7.42.

Kulkarni's best IPL career bowling figures of 4/14 in the Qualifier 1 against RCB gave his side a massive opportunity to take one step closer to the final, only to be halted by a special knock by AB de Villiers. Kulkarni also bowled the most number of maiden overs bowled in a single season of the IPL as he did it four times this season.