Cricket has seen some incredible players grace the field, but not all of them have received the recognition they deserve. While the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara are household names, there are several cricketers whose talent and contributions to the game were underrated. These players may not have made as many headlines as others, but their impact on the game was undeniable.
In this article, we take a closer look at the Top 10 Most Underrated Cricketers of All Time. We’ll explore their careers, highlight their significant achievements, and delve into the reasons they might have been overlooked.
1. Mohammad Azharuddin – The Stylish Yet Underappreciated Leader
Mohammad Azharuddin’s career in Indian cricket is often overshadowed by the rise of other cricketing legends, but his talent is undeniable. As a stylish batsman with a technique admired by many, Azharuddin was instrumental in India’s success throughout the ’90s. His leadership skills, however, remain underappreciated.
Why Azharuddin Was Underrated:
Azhar’s legacy is often linked to controversy and the overshadowing presence of cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar. Despite this, his leadership and elegant batting made him an integral part of Indian cricket during his time.
2. Mark Butcher – The Elegant Left-Handed Batsman
Mark Butcher is often forgotten when discussing England’s cricketing history, but his classy strokeplay and consistency were invaluable to the team. While his career was marred by injuries and inconsistency, Butcher’s elegance and composure in the middle order were crucial in many key matches.
Why Mark Butcher Was Underrated:
Butcher was overshadowed by larger-than-life figures like Alec Stewart and Graham Gooch, and his potential was often buried under England’s inconsistent performances during the ’90s.
3. Vinod Kambli – A Forgotten Indian Cricketing Talent
Vinod Kambli was once touted as one of the future stars of Indian cricket, especially after his sensational double century alongside Sachin Tendulkar. However, Kambli’s career was plagued by inconsistencies and lack of opportunities. His natural talent often went unappreciated.
Why Kambli Was Underrated:
Despite being one of the most talented Indian batsmen of his time, Kambli never lived up to his early promise. His association with Tendulkar led to his brilliance being overlooked, and his career fizzled out too quickly.
4. Chris Cairns – The Best All-Rounder You’ve Never Heard Of
Chris Cairns was one of the finest all-rounders in the world, yet his achievements were often overshadowed by the bigger names of the cricketing world. His ability to bowl fast and provide crucial runs with the bat made him an invaluable player for New Zealand. However, his legacy remains underrated.
Why Chris Cairns Was Underrated:
Cairns played for New Zealand, a country often overlooked in international cricket, and his contributions were overshadowed by all-rounders from larger cricketing nations like South Africa and Australia.
5. Doug Walters – A Forgotten Australian Cricketing Gem
Doug Walters was a natural match-winner for Australia. A batsman with flair and a bowler who could change the course of a match, Walters is often forgotten when discussing Australia’s cricketing greats. His contributions to Australia’s golden era were immense, but often ignored.
Why Doug Walters Was Underrated:
Walters’ legacy is often overshadowed by other Australian legends like Allan Border and Dennis Lillee, leaving his contributions to the team somewhat overlooked despite his significant role in their success.
6. Graeme Hick – An English Batsman with Impressive Skills
Graeme Hick was one of the best middle-order batsmen England had during the ’90s, yet he never quite earned the recognition he deserved. Born in Zimbabwe and representing England, Hick was a highly skilled batsman with excellent technique and adaptability across formats.
Why Graeme Hick Was Underrated:
Despite his impressive domestic career and international performances, Hick struggled to get the credit he deserved due to the lack of major match-winning performances in crucial moments for England.
7. Darren Lehmann – Australia’s Unheralded Middle-Order Star
Darren Lehmann’s role in the Australian cricket team during their period of dominance in the early 2000s is often overlooked. A dependable middle-order batsman, Lehmann played many crucial innings, yet his contributions often got overshadowed by the star-studded Australian lineup.
Why Darren Lehmann Was Underrated:
Lehmann played in an era dominated by legends like Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist, and his contributions, while valuable, never garnered the attention of his more famous teammates.
8. Salim Malik – Pakistan’s Inconsistent Genius
Salim Malik was an incredibly talented Pakistani batsman who had the ability to turn games around with his elegant technique. Yet, his career was marred by controversies and inconsistent performances, preventing him from being recognized for his full potential.
Why Salim Malik Was Underrated:
While Malik was undeniably talented, his on-field and off-field issues prevented him from ever being fully embraced as one of Pakistan’s greatest players, despite his significant contributions.
9. Lance Klusener – South Africa’s Match-Winning All-Rounder
Lance Klusener was one of South Africa’s best all-rounders during the late ’90s and early 2000s. His ability to turn a game with both bat and ball was unmatched, but his contributions often went unnoticed due to the strength of South Africa’s overall team.
Why Lance Klusener Was Underrated:
Playing in an era filled with greats like Jacques Kallis and Allan Donald, Klusener’s skills often flew under the radar, even though he was crucial in South Africa’s successes during his time.
10. Robin Smith – England’s Reliable Middle-Order Batsman
Robin Smith was a reliable middle-order batsman for England in the ’90s. While he wasn’t as flashy as other cricketers, his ability to stabilize the innings and score vital runs under pressure was indispensable. Yet, Smith never gained the recognition he deserved.
Why Robin Smith Was Underrated:
Smith was overshadowed by the inconsistency of England’s batting line-up, and his unassuming approach to cricket led to his contributions being overlooked by many fans and analysts.
Conclusion
Cricket has had many legends, but the underrated cricketers mentioned in this list have played pivotal roles in their teams’ successes. From Mohammad Azharuddin’s graceful batting to Lance Klusener’s all-round brilliance, these players may not have been in the spotlight as much as their contemporaries, but their impact was undeniable. By recognizing their contributions, we can celebrate the often-forgotten stars who helped shape cricket as we know it today.
FAQs
Q1. Who is the most underrated cricketer of all time?
Ans. While many cricketers were underrated, some of the top names include Mohammad Azharuddin, Chris Cairns, and Doug Walters. These players contributed significantly but did not receive the recognition they truly deserved.
Q2. Why are some cricketers underrated?
Ans. Some cricketers are underrated due to playing in the shadows of bigger names, inconsistent performances, or even off-field controversies that overshadow their on-field skills.
Q3. Did these underrated cricketers ever make a major impact?
Ans. Yes, these underrated players made significant contributions to their teams and the sport, even though their contributions were often overlooked in comparison to more famous players.
Q4. What makes a cricketer underrated?
Ans. A cricketer is considered underrated if they consistently perform well but don’t receive the media attention or recognition their performances warrant. Often, their achievements are overshadowed by other bigger names.
Q5. Who is the best all-rounder that’s underrated?
Ans. Chris Cairns is often regarded as one of the best underrated all-rounders, thanks to his skills with both bat and ball, which played a significant role in New Zealand’s successes.