Akash Deep in IPL and Test cricket (Source:AP Photos and @SportskeedaAff/X.com)
India and England are in the middle of an intense Test series, and many different players have stepped up in different junctures so far. Some of them are usual superstars, while many young, unknown players have also shown their skills.
The series is being played after a gruesome IPL season, and thus, during the start of the Test series, the form in IPL was also a talking point. However, as the series has progressed, many IPL players who were not looked as match-winners have proved themselves as crucial assets and in this article, we will look at three of those players.
1. Akash Deep
Akash Deep turned out to be a hero for India at Edgbaston with 10 wickets in the game. On a flat wicket, he proved his worth by making the ball talk and made sure that India do not miss Jasprit Bumrah. Thus, he has become an important asset for India.
On the contrary, Akash Deep played just six matches in IPL 2025, where he picked only three wickets. He did not enjoy the confidence of the management, nor did his performance meet the mark. He leaked runs at an economy rate of 12.05, which clearly signifies Akash Deep's struggle in the IPL.
Akash Deep's IPL Stats
Criterion
Data
Innings
14
Wickets
10
Average
54.80
Economy Rate
11.82
The right-arm pacer's overall IPL career has also been far from impressive as evident from the table. So, he is one of those underrated Indian Premier League cricketers who have surprised fans in Test cricket.
2. Washington Sundar
The Indian all-rounder is another cricketer who could not get regular chances in IPL 2025, but has emerged as a crucial player in the Test series against England. Gujarat Titans played Sundar in just six matches, where he picked up only two wickets and scored 133 runs.
Thus, he was not trusted enough in IPL and even in the matches he played, he did not bowl his full quota of four overs. However, the story is different in Test cricket. At Edgbaston, he made important contributions with both bat and ball.
Washington Sundar's IPL Stats
Criterion
Data
Matches
66
Wickets
39
Batting Runs
511
Batting Avg
15.48
Now, at Lord's, he has delivered big time with the ball, picking four wickets in the second innings to bowl out England for 192. Thus, he is a crucial asset for India with his all-round skills, contrary to his status in the IPL.
3. Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja will go down as one of the finest all-rounders to play for India in Test cricket. His contributions to white-ball cricket have also been spectacular, and in the IPL, too, he has been a crucial asset for CSK.
However, his stocks in IPL have gone down in the recent past. Especially, on the batting front, he is no longer perceived as a match-winner as his strike-rate has been an issue. Also, he has not picked wickets regularly for CSK in the last couple of years. He is still going great guns in Test cricket, though, scoring runs consistently in different conditions while delivering with the ball as well. He has scored four fifties so far in the India-England Test series, and almost pulled off an unbelievable heist for India at Lord's.
Ravindra Jadeja's Stats In 2024 and 2025 IPL Seasons
Criterion
Data
Matches
28
Wickets
18
Batting Runs
568
Thus, Jadeja is one player who is no longer considered a genuine match-winner in IPL, but is still an invaluable asset in Test cricket.