IPL 2018: 5 underrated players who can be potential match winners for their franchises

The Indian Premier League has successfully completed a decade and is all set to enter into its second decade. The first ten years of the tournament had many memorable moments. A lot of personal milestones were also achieved in the first decade. The 11th edition of the tournament brings in thrill and excitement with it. Over the years, many players have set their foot in the IPL but only a handful of them have managed to grab the spotlight.

There have been a selected few who have performed wonderfully but they have failed to come into the limelight. Amongst the stars of the game a few players have gone unnoticed and can be termed as the underrated players of the IPL. In this edition of the league, the fans are expecting fireworks from the renowned players and a few players are being sidelined by the fans.

On this note, let us take a look at five underrated players who can be potential match winners for their respective franchises.

#5 Ambati Rayadu (Chennai Super Kings)

Ambati Rayadu is mostly in the headlines for the wrong reasons. Rayadu's domestic career started at a young age but he suffered a setback when he was banned by the BCCI for playing the ICL. The right-handed batsman has been successful in the IPL for the Mumbai Indians. He has been overshadowed by the likes of Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard.

This time, the 32-year-old has been procured by the Chennai Super Kings. He may not get an opportunity in the first few games of the tournament but he is likely to deliver whenever he gets a chance. The former Mumbai Indians batsman has scored 2416 IPL runs at an average of 27.14.

For the most part of his IPL career, he has batted at number four, five and six. His average is acceptable when related to these batting positions. The Hyderabad born lad can turn into a match winner for the Super Kings if provided enough opportunity. In the past, he has helped Mumbai Indians win plenty of matches.

#4 Vijay Shankar (Delhi Daredevils)

Vijay Shankar was recently included in the Indian side

The recent Delhi Daredevils recruit is another underrated player. Vijay Shankar was recently included in the Indian side for the Nidahas Trophy. Shankar has been playing a role of a bowling all-rounder. His batting exploits are yet to be seen by the Indian fans. The 27-year-old has featured in 5 IPL games.

He scored a gutsy 63* against the Gujarat Lions in the previous edition. Shankar has scored 101 runs at an average of 50.50. He has only bowled once in the IPL. He conceded 19 runs in the only over he bowled back in 2014. On this occasion, the medium pacer will be a crucial bowling asset for the Daredevils.

The Daredevils can use his services to surprise the oppositions as the franchises have not seen him bat too much. The underrated all-rounder can turn out to be a match winner for the Delhi Daredevils.

#3 Jos Buttler (Rajasthan Royals)

Buttler represented the Mumbai Indians in 2017

English wicketkeeper Jos Buttler has been phenomenal for England in recent times. His finishing abilities have made him a must-have for the English side. Buttler is an underrated IPL player. He has scored 527 IPL runs at an average of 25.09. His strike rate of 145.98 is the most impressive thing about him.

Buttler was procured by the Rajasthan Royals in this year's auction. With the availability of openers in the form of Rahane and D'Arcy Short, the Royals management may decide to persist with Buttler as a finisher. The flamboyant batsman can turn out to be a match winner for the Royals alongside his England partner Ben Stokes.

Out of his 527 IPL runs, 386 have come in boundaries. His boundary percentage is a threat to other oppositions. The wicketkeeper-batsman will look to better his record in this year's edition.

#2 Aaron Finch (Kings XI Punjab)

Aaron Finch will miss the opening game due to his marriage

Aaron Finch started his IPL career in the north with Delhi Daredevils. Finch will resume his duties for another northern side in the form of Kings XI Punjab. The opening batsman is one of the finest T20 players going around in the world. Finch has amassed 1604 runs in the IPL at an average of 27.65.

Finch's ability to tackle the spinners with ease has helped him to bat in the middle order. The 31-year-old brought Australia's middle order to life, in the recently concluded tri-series. The right-handed batsman will miss the opening game of the season due to his marriage.

The Kings XI Punjab side will depend on him for a good start. Finch will hope to change the fate of the Kings from Punjab.

#1 Chris Woakes (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Chris Woakes has been in stupendous form recently

England's Chris Woakes is unarguably the most underrated player this year. He played 13 games last year picking up 17 wickets for the Kolkata Knight Riders. The 29-year-old worked on his batting in the off-season and the improvements can be seen in his game. Woakes has been in stupendous form recently.

The Kolkata Knight Riders fans did not expect Woakes to do much in the previous edition of the league but the hopes of Royal Challengers Bangalore fans are much higher with the speedster. Owing to his recent form it is inevitable that the all-rounder will get a place in RCB's opening game.

Woakes can prove to be one of the main assets for RCB in this edition of the IPL. His bowling will be tested on slow wickets at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.