IPL 2018: 4 underrated cricketers who are having their best ever campaign

Though new cricketers with raw talent getting discovered has been a trademark of the Indian Premier League (IPL), many campaigners have performed exceptionally well in this season. They have been playing in the tournament for a long time, but inconsistency has kept them away from headlines.

Nonetheless, these players have redeemed themselves in 2018 and are giving their best performances. Here are four cricketers who are having their best ever IPL campaign in 2018.

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#4 Mandeep Singh (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

The former vice-captain of Indian U-19 side, Mandeep Singh hit the IPL by storm way back in 2012 when he scored 432 runs in the tournament at an average of 27. Back then, he was regarded as a future prospect for the national team. However, inconsistency hit him and while the others from his batch progressed, his career followed a downward spiral.

After a string of ordinary years, the lad from Jalandhar, Punjab is utilizing his talent to the fullest. Bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for just INR 1.4 crores, Singh has scored 139 runs in the tournament so far. Both his average and strike rate, which have been over 45 and 160 respectively, have been his best in his 9-year long IPL career. Though Mandeep might not be regarded as an Indian probable anymore, he is justifying his talent.

#3 Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai Indians)

Suryakumar Yadav has been Mumbai's most dependable batsman

On paper, Suryakumar Yadav made his IPL debut in 2012. But it was in 2014 when Kolkata Knight Riders made him a permanent feature in their playing XI. Yadav had the role of a finisher in his former team but after reuniting with his local team Mumbai Indians, he is now playing up the order.

That has made all the difference as the 27-year-old has scored 230 runs so far in this season. His average this season has been 38, which is greater than his IPL career-best average of 32 that came way back in 2014 when people came to know about this fascinating player.

#2 Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals)

Sanju Samson is knocking at the national selectors' door with his mesmerizing knocks

Whenever a discussion about Mahendra Singh Dhoni's successor pops up, this man's name is bound to arise. Sanju Samson is immaculate as a wicket-keeper and his batting is aesthetically pleasing. However, Samson has had his ups and downs, which has kept the Indian blue jersey with his name written on it in transit for a while.

But this is the year that Samson is targeting to get his hands on it. In 6 matches, the 23-year-old from Vizhinjam, Kerala has amassed 239 runs - 92 of them coming against Royal Challengers Bangalore in just 45 deliveries. His average is not the only thing that is impressive, as Samson has caught some attention with his aggressive batting this season, which is testified by his strike rate of over 150.

#1 Ambati Rayudu (Chennai Super Kings)

At 32, Ambati Rayudu has come of age to deliver his best

Ambati Rayudu is the most experienced player on this list. He has played 119 IPL games and has donned the Indian colours 40 times. He has an exceptional average of over 50 in ODIs.

At 32 years of age, an INR 2.2 crores contract from a team filled with aged cricketers looked like a lucrative pre-retirement scheme. But the man from Guntur is scripting a new story; one which epitomizes the proverb 'old is gold'. Rayudu has scored 201 runs for MS Dhoni's team in just 5 games at an average of over 40. While his IPL career strike rate is 128, the number this year has crossed the 160-mark.