10 Most Underrated Cricketers: Stats & Unheard Stories
“Not all warriors wear a crown. Some fight quietly, bleed silently, and fade into shadows — but their legacy is carved in effort, not applause. This list of the 10 most underrated cricketers consolidates this statement”
Cricket is a game of headlines. Tendulkar’s centuries, Dhoni’s sixes, Kohli’s chases — these dominate our memories. But behind those moments are players who never got a poster, never became a meme, and never trended. Yet they delivered, time and again.
Today, we shine the spotlight on those who played without fanfare. Who never made it to the pantheon — but deserved to.
1. Ajit Agarkar: The Most Underrated Cricketer from India?
National Team : India
The Moment : 6/42 at Lord’s, 2002
Quote : “He could swing it at pace. One of the few who gave Australia real trouble.” – Steve Waugh
Once India’s fastest ODI fifty holder. The third-highest Indian wicket-taker in ODIs at one point. Agarkar wasn’t flashy — but he was lethal. He dismissed Lara seven times in Tests, Ponting six times in ODIs. Yet fans remember him more for the “duck streak” than his spells of magic.
Played Last International Match on : ODI against England on September 5, 2007
What he is doing after retirement :
- Chief Selector – Indian Men’s National Team, from July 2023.
- Assistant Coach – Delhi Capitals – 2022 to 2023
- Former selector for Mumbai’s Ranji team
- Cricket Expert & Broadcaster
Career Batting Stats
Career Bowling Stats:
For more details on his career, have a look at this ESPN CricInfo page – Ajit Agarkar’s profile
2. Asim Kamal – The Man Who Never Failed... Yet Vanished
National Team : Pakistan
The Moment : 99 on Test debut vs South Africa, 2003
Quote : “He had the heart of Dravid. But in Pakistan, that’s not always enough.” – Ramiz Raja
Twelve Tests. Nine half-centuries. Never made a hundred, but rarely failed. In a team ruled by chaos and controversy, Kamal brought technique, grit, and humility. But he was replaced, forgotten — without reason, without a farewell. Truly, the most underrated cricketer from Pakistan, who definitely deserved more.
Played Last International Match on : Test against England at Lahore, on December 3, 2005
What he is doing after retirement :
- Cricket Coaching (Unofficial/Club Level)
- Occasional Commentary & Cricket Talk shows
- Religious Preacher
Career Batting Stats
Career Bowling Stats:
For more details on his career, have a look at this ESPN CricInfo page – Asim Kamal’s profile
3. Shane Bond: The 150kph Ferrari with a Fragile Engine
Among the Most Underrated Cricketers, Shane Bond is the ultimate “What If.” His career was a battle between extreme pace and extreme pain. While the world remembers Brett Lee and Shoaib Akhtar, Bond actually had a better ODI average (20.88) and strike rate than both of them.
National Team : New Zealand
The Moment : 6/23 vs Australia, 2003 World Cup
Quote : “Fast. Furious. Fragile.” – Michael Holding
The Ignored Fact: Most people don’t realize that Bond completely dominated Ricky Ponting. In an era where Ponting was untouchable, Bond dismissed him 7 times in just 19 international innings. He didn’t just bowl fast; he owned the psychological battle against the era’s best.
Played Last International Match on : May 10, 2010 – T20 against England at Gros Islet.
What he is doing after Retirement :
- National cricket team coch form 2012 to 2015 – was instrumental in taking New Zealand reaching the 2015 World Cup Final.
- Bowling Coach for Mumbai Indians, from 2015 to 2023.
- Head Coch – MI Emirates in ILT20 in 2023
- BBL Coaching – Sydney Thunder (2023–present)
Career Batting Stats
Career Bowling Stats:
For more details on his career, have a look at this ESPN CricInfo page – Shane Bond’s profile
4. Mohammad Kaif – More Than Just the NatWest Final
It is a travesty that Mohammad Kaif is often left out of conversations about the Most Underrated Cricketers. While his NatWest 2002 heroics are legendary, his real contribution was a cultural shift in Indian cricket—he made “fielding” a primary skill for the first time in the country’s history.
National Team : India
The Moment : 87* in the NatWest Trophy Final, 2002
Quote : “He pulled off one of the greatest chases — and then disappeared.” – Sourav Ganguly
The Ignored Fact: Kaif’s running between the wickets was statistically elite. In his partnership with Yuvraj Singh, they averaged nearly 6.5 runs per over just by turning ones into twos—a feat rarely seen in the pre-T20 era. He was a pioneer of the “modern” game before the modern game existed.
Played Last International Match on : South Africa vs India at Gqberha on 29th November, 2006.
What he is doing after Retirement :
- Cricket Commentator & Analyst
- Assistance Coach – Delhi Capitals (IPL)
- Political Involvement – contested 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Phulpur, on an Indian National Congress ticket.
Kaif’s dive into the Lord’s turf is iconic. But his fielding redefined India’s standards. His running between wickets with Yuvraj Singh was poetry. Yet he was dropped, repeatedly, as India searched for more “flash.” Kaif can easily rank among the top 3 most underrated Indian cricketers of all time.
Career Batting Stats
Career Bowling Stats:
For more details on his career, have a look at this ESPN CricInfo page – Mohammad Kaif’s profile
5. Paul Collingwood: England’s Ultimate Crisis Man
If you look at the Most Underrated Cricketers from England, Paul Collingwood stands alone. He wasn’t the most talented, but he was the “human glue” that held a fragile English middle order together for years. He is one of the few players to score a double-century in an Ashes series in Australia (Adelaide, 2006).
National Team : England
The Moment : 206 vs Australia, Adelaide, 2006
Quote : “When the tide turned, it was often Collingwood who stood against it.” – Nasser Hussain
The Ignored Fact: Collingwood remains the only England captain to lead the men’s team to a World Trophy before 2019 (the 2010 T20 World Cup). Despite this, he is rarely mentioned alongside captains like Strauss or Morgan. His ability to finish games with the bat and take “blinder” catches at backward point made him the ultimate three-dimensional player.
He was never the loudest. Never the fastest. But he was always there. In 68 Tests, Collingwood scored nearly 4,300 runs and took 17 wickets. His fielding was electric. And yet, his name rarely comes up in “all-time” lists.
Played Last International Match on : ODI vs Bangladesh, at Chattogram on March 11, 2011
What he is doing after Retirement :
- Full-time Coach to England National Team from 2014 to 2023.
- Interim Head Coach – England 2022
- Coach for a domestic England cricket team – England Lions.
- Commentary for broadcasters like Sky Sports.
Career Batting Stats
Career Bowling Stats:
For more details on his career, have a look at this ESPN CricInfo page – Paul Collingwood’s profile
6. VVS Laxman: The Savior Who Lived in the Shadows
When discussing the Most Underrated Cricketers, VVS Laxman is often reduced to “that 281 guy.” However, his true value lay in his role as India’s crisis manager. While Tendulkar and Dravid dominated the record books, Laxman was the one batting with the tail to save matches India had no business drawing.
National Team : India
The Moment : 281 vs Australia, Eden Gardens, 2001
Quote : “He played like he had time to spare in a burning house.” – Rahul Dravid
The Ignored Fact: Laxman is one of the very few players in history to have more centuries against Australia (6) than he had against any other nation. Even more incredible: before his 281, he was on the verge of being dropped permanently, averaging just 27. He forced his way back by scoring a triple century in domestic cricket—a level of grit rarely seen today.
Yes, Laxman is remembered for that knock. But not for the fact that he often bailed India out when the Fab Four struggled. His numbers against Australia are staggering. Yet, he never captained India, and rarely opened. Despite his unforgettable innings, VVS Laxman was often got dropped, and can therefore be called the most underrated cricketer Indian batter.
Played Last International Match on : Test match vs Australia, at Adelaide – January 24 to 28, 2012
What he is doing after Retirement :
- Director of Cricket – National Cricket Academy (NCA), Bengaluru – since 2021
- Interim Indian National Cricket team coach – 2022 & 2023
- Commentator & Analyst
- Was also a Part of coaching staff at Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL from 2013 to 2021
Career Batting Stats
Career Bowling Stats:
For more details on his career, have a look at this ESPN CricInfo page – VVS Laxman’s profile
7. Ryan Harris: The Miracle with "One Knee"
Among the Most Underrated Cricketers from Australia, Ryan Harris is a statistical anomaly. He didn’t even debut until he was 30, yet he took 113 wickets in just 27 Tests. He played his entire international career in excruciating pain, often needing to have fluid drained from his knees before a match.
National Team : Australia
The Moment : 5/25 vs England, Perth, 2013
Quote : “I bowl with one knee. That’s all I’ve got.” – Ryan Harris
The Ignored Fact: His “Ball of the Century” to Alastair Cook in 2013 was more than just a great delivery. It was the first time in Test history that Cook was dismissed for a golden duck. Harris was a master of “late-late” swing, a skill he developed while playing for Sussex in England, which he used to dismantle the English top order.
Played Last International Match on : Test Match vs India, Sydney – January 06 to 10, 2015
What he is doing after Retirement :
- Bowling Coach – Australian National Team. Played a key role in mentoring Pat Cummins, Josh Hazelwood anf Jhye Richardson
- IPL Bowling Coach – Kings XI Punjab (Now PBKS) in 2019-20
- Worked with Brisbane Heat as a bowling consultant
Career Batting Stats
Career Bowling Stats:
For more details on his career, have a look at this ESPN CricInfo page – Ryan Harris’s profile
8. Faf du Plessis: The Only Captain to Conquer Australia Thrice
Faf du Plessis is frequently overlooked in lists of the Most Underrated Cricketers, likely because he played alongside AB de Villiers. Yet, he was the backbone of a transitioning Proteas side. His debut 110* to save the Adelaide Test is legendary, but his leadership is where the real “missed” facts lie.
National Team : South Africa
The Moment : 110* vs Australia, Adelaide, 2012 (on debut!)
Quote : “I may not have trophies. But I have battles I never lost.” – Faf du Plessis
The Ignored Fact: Faf is the only captain in history to lead his team to a series win in all three formats (Test, ODI, and T20) on Australian soil. He did this during a period of massive administrative chaos in South African cricket, proving he was a tactical genius who thrived under pressure.
Played Last International Match on : Feb 04 -08, 2021 in a test match against Pakistan at Rawalpindi.
What he is doing after Retirement :
- Continues to Play in T20 Leagues Globally
- IPL
- Delhi Capitals, 2025 – current
- Royal Challengers Bangalore – Captained the side for 3 IPL seasons from 2022 to 2024
- Major League Cricket
- Texas Super Kings – since 2022
- IPL
Career Batting Stats
Career Bowling Stats:
For more details on his career, have a look at this ESPN CricInfo page – Faf Du Plessis’s profile
9. Robin Uthappa: The Pioneer of the "Walking Assassin"
Before the era of fearless power-hitting, Robin Uthappa was one of the Most Underrated Cricketers in the T20 format. He was the “Walking Assassin,” famous for strolling down the pitch to fast bowlers—a move that fundamentally changed how white-ball cricket was played in India.
National Team : India
The Moment : 50 vs Pakistan, T20 World Cup 2007
Quote : “He gave us belief, and flair, and fearlessness — before anyone else did.” – Harsha Bhogle
The Ignored Fact: In the 2007 T20 World Cup bowl-out against Pakistan, Uthappa was the only non-bowler to volunteer immediately. His confidence was so high that he saluted the crowd after hitting the stumps. He also holds a unique record: he scored 854 runs in a single domestic season (2006-07) to force his way into the national side, yet he never got a consistent run in the Test team.
Before Rohit Sharma became Hitman, before Raina became India’s finisher — there was Robin. Explosive, animated, gutsy. His “walk-down-the-pitch” sixes against Pakistan were ahead of their time. But poor timing and competition meant he never got an extended run.
Played Last International Match on : July 19, 2015 T20I against Zimbabwe at Harare, Zimbabwe
What he is doing after Retirement :
- Cricket Analyst & Commentator
- Entrepreneur & Start-up involvement – Co-founded iTurf Ventures
Career Batting Stats
Career Bowling Stats:
For more details on his career, have a look at this ESPN CricInfo page – Robin Uthappa’s profile
10. Mashrafe Mortaza: The Heart of Bangladesh
No list of the Most Underrated Cricketers is complete without “The Narail Express.” Mortaza wasn’t just a bowler; he was the architect of Bangladesh’s modern cricket identity. Despite undergoing 10 major surgeries on his knees and ankles, he led his country to more ODI wins than any other captain.
National Team : Bangladesh
The Moment : Leading Bangladesh to win over England, 2015 WC
Quote : “He limped, he bled — but never backed down.” – Shakib Al Hasan
The Ignored Fact: In 2001, Mortaza became the first Bangladeshi pacer to clock over 147 kph. While injuries forced him to slow down, he reinvented himself as a master of cutters and variations. He once famously said, “Doctors and laborers are the real stars, not cricketers,” highlighting the humility that made him the most respected leader in his nation’s history.
Mashrafe was Bangladesh’s soul. His knees gave out before his career even took off. But he kept coming. As captain, he transformed a struggling side into giant-killers. Off the field, he became a member of parliament. On it, he was a gladiator.
Played Last International Match on : March 6, 2020 against Zimbabwe, at Sylhet, Bangladesh
What he is doing after Retirement :
- Member of Parliament – Bangladesh, for the Awami League – from 2018.
- Plays in Bangladesh Premier League for Sylhet Strikers
- Mentors Bangladesh National cricket team
Career Batting Stats
Career Bowling Stats:
For more details on his career, have a look at this ESPN CricInfo page – Mashrafe Mortaza’s profile
Conclusion: Who is Your Most Underrated Cricketer?
Cricket will always be a game of superstars, but as we’ve seen, the heartbeat of the sport often lies with the Most Underrated Cricketers. These players didn’t always get the trophies or the billion-dollar endorsements, but they provided the grit and the “unheard stories” that make cricket history so rich. Whether it was Shane Bond’s terrifying pace or VVS Laxman’s elegance under fire, these legends proved that impact is measured in more than just a career average.
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Who is considered the most underrated Indian cricketer in the history of ODI cricket?
Why did Shane Bond have such a short international career despite his incredible stats?
What does VVS Laxman's 281-run innings mean for his legacy as an underrated player?
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