Ignored at auctions, forgotten in drafts, waiting in the shadows—until the moment arrived.
The IPL never follows a script. Injuries, sudden exits, and form slumps throw teams off course. But sometimes, in the middle of the storm, unlikely heroes rise. They weren't in the spotlight at the start. They weren't marquee names. But when they got the call, they delivered. Calmly. Confidently. And in style.
Here's to the mid-season replacements of IPL 2025—seven players who grabbed their shot and gave their teams more than they could've asked for.
At 17, Ayush Mhatre was more of a project than a pick. But the youngster was thrust into the spotlight when CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out. He scored 240 runs in 7 innings, at an average of 34.28 and a blistering strike rate of 188.97. He began with a 32 off 15 against MI, followed it up with a quick 30 off 19 against SRH, and then set the stage on fire with a 94 off 48 against RCB—becoming the third-youngest to hit an IPL fifty. It wasn't just talent. It was temperament.
Corbin Bosch didn't set the tournament ablaze. But he did enough to be noticed. In 3 innings, he scored 47 runs at a strike rate of 146.87. With the ball, he bowled economically, picking up 1 wicket with an economy rate of 7.85. His 20* off 10 and 27 off 22 were both vital contributions under pressure. He also delivered a tidy 1 for 26 in four overs against LSG. Brought in for Lizaad Williams, Bosch proved he could hold his own on both ends.
Six innings. 225 runs. An average of 37.50 and a strike rate of 180.00. Dewald Brevis didn't just make a comeback—he made a statement. He was unsold at the auction. Then CSK brought him in as a replacement for Gurjapneet Singh. In return, Brevis gave them consistency and power. He scored over 30 in five of his six games. His 17 sixes were the second-most for CSK this season. Only a first-ball lbw against RCB blemished his run. But even that couldn't overshadow how much he brought to the team.
The numbers don't lie—3 matches, 5 wickets, an average of 19.60, and an economy of 9.80. Harsh Dubey didn't play much, but he left an impression. Picked after Adam Zampa's injury, Dubey wasn't the first spinner in SRH's plans. But in his last outing, he took 3 for 34 against KKR, including the prize wicket of Andre Russell—who didn't even wait for the umpire's signal. SRH may have exited early, but in Dubey, they might have found a spinner for the future.
Mustafizur only played three matches. But he finished strong. He picked up 4 wickets at an average of 21.75 and kept things tight with an economy of 7.90. Signed by DC as a temporary replacement for Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mustafizur's best spell came in his last game—3 for 29 against PBKS, removing Arya, Shashank, and Jansen—a burst of class. Sadly, replacement rules mean he won't be retained for IPL 2026. But for those three games, the Fizz reminded us of his magic.
10 matches. 13 wickets. An average of 28.84 and an economy rate of 11.02. It's not perfect, but it's impactful. Shardul Thakur went unsold at the auction and was preparing for a county stint in England. Then LSG called. Injuries had opened the door. Shardul walked in and delivered a match-winning 4 for 34 against SRH. He took six wickets in his first two outings. The pace dipped later, and he was dropped. But for a man coming in cold, Shardul reminded fans of his big-match energy.
Gujarat's Urvil Patel was a six-hitting machine in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, but he was overlooked in the auction. CSK brought him in as a replacement for Vansh Bedi, and he did not waste time. In just 3 innings, he scored 68 runs at a strike rate of 212.50 and an average of 22.66. His 31 off 11 balls helped CSK break a long drought of chasing 180+ totals. He hit the second ball he faced in the IPL for a six. He didn't play many games. But he left a memory.
