In a league built on big names and bigger moments, these players did the quiet work
The IPL is a theatre of big moments and bigger stars. Centuries, five-wicket hauls, last-ball thrillers — they steal the headlines. But sometimes, it's the understated performances, hidden between the highlights, that turn games around. IPL 2025 was no different. Beneath the spotlight, a few unsung heroes shaped outcomes without much noise. Here are six such performances that didn't make the headlines — but made all the difference.
In Jaipur, LSG's top order trembled. At 54/3, with RR circling, it looked bleak. But Ayush Badoni, brought in as an Impact Player, played with remarkable clarity. He didn't just bat. He steadied. Then he accelerated. His 50 off 34 wasn't fireworks — it was architecture. A partnership of 76 with Markram followed. And suddenly, 180/5 looked very defendable. The chase went down to the wire. RR nearly got there. But LSG sneaked a win by two runs. Badoni didn't get the limelight, but his innings was the undercurrent that carried LSG to safety.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium roared as KKR piled on the runs. Yet, in the middle of the storm, Axar Patel held his ground. Bowling with control, he picked up 2/27. On a pitch that didn't help spinners, he dismissed Rahane and Iyer — both key scalps. Then came his bat. DC were in a spot. But Axar counterpunched with purpose. 43 off 23. Seven boundaries in all. His partnership with du Plessis brought DC back into the fight. KKR won, but Axar's all-around show was a masterclass in quiet impact. He didn't need a flash. Just focus.
The scoreboard screamed Priyansh Arya—a blazing century, fireworks all around. But dig a little deeper into that PBKS vs CSK clash on April 8, and you'll find Marco Jansen—steady, silent, and game-changing. Coming in after a collapse, Jansen wasn't flashy. But he was effective. A 34* off just 19 balls, peppered with two sixes and two fours, came when PBKS desperately needed a push. The scoreboard ticked over, the tension eased, and the total exceeded 200. His bowling figures didn't impress at first glance—0/48. But his overs were in the fire. Powerplay. Death. Dhoni. Conway. Pressure. Jansen soaked it all. His control gave PBKS space to breathe. He didn't roar, but he left a mark.
RCB were in a chase of 228. Jitesh Sharma went berserk. But there was a moment — right after Kohli fell — when things could have spiralled. That's when Mayank Agarwal stepped in. He didn't try to match Jitesh's fire. Instead, he played the foil. Smart singles, well-timed boundaries — a 41* off 23 that many missed. But it was precisely what RCB needed. Mayank's calmness allowed Jitesh to unleash. His strike rate? A quiet 178. His importance? Massive. Not every gem sparkles loudly — some hold everything together.
CSK vs MI. Noor Ahmad was the name on everyone's lips. But at the top, Ruturaj Gaikwad played a knock that stitched CSK's chase-like threadwork. Chasing 156, Gaikwad entered early and attacked with elegance. His 53 off 26 was an exhibition of timing, not power. He hit six boundaries, cleared the ropes thrice, and batted with a calm that belied the pressure. He didn't finish the game. But he broke the back of the chase. It was the kind of innings that doesn't headline post-match shows — but it wins games. And CSK did, with five balls to spare.
Ahmedabad, IPL final night. Pressure everywhere. And yet, one man stood tall for Punjab Kings — Shashank Singh. With PBKS reeling at 98/4, hope seemed to fade. But Shashank walked in with belief. No nerves. It's just clean, calculated hitting. He struck 61* off just 30 deliveries. Three fours, six sixes, and a strike rate soaring above 200. It was a lone act of brilliance in a collapsing chase. RCB eventually held on for a 6-run win. But Shashank's fight gave the final its pulse. He wasn't the hero in the headlines. But he was the heartbeat of Punjab's final push.
