Unpicked to Unmissable: Best Replacement Players in IPL History 

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a crucible of cricketing talent, where stars are born and unexpected heroes often steal the spotlight. Over its run, the tournament has seen its fair share of dramatic turnarounds with players overlooked at auctions brought in as last-minute replacements ending up rewriting the script. 

These underdogs, stepping into high-pressure roles due to injuries or withdrawals, embody the unpredictability and magic of the IPL, proving that opportunity and grit can outshine even the most meticulous team strategies. From veterans clawing their way back to relevance to young guns announcing their arrival, their stories highlight the IPL’s unique blend of chaos and brilliance. 

Below, we dive into some of the standout replacement players in IPL seasons, from Chris Gayle to Shardul Thakur.

• Chris Gayle (Royal Challengers Bengaluru, 2011)

Gayle’s IPL legacy began as a stroke of fortune for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Initially unsold at the 2011 auction, the West Indian powerhouse was roped in mid-season as a replacement for the injured Dirk Nannes. What followed was pure carnage.

The southpaw smashed 608 runs in 12 matches, including two centuries, and powered RCB to their second IPL final. His 175* runs off 66 balls in 2013 remain the highest individual T20 score, but it was his 2011 entry as a substitute that laid the foundation for his reign as the “Universe Boss,” proving that even a late call-up can redefine a franchise’s fortunes.

• Umran Malik (Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2021)

Umran Malik’s IPL debut in 2021 was a bolt from the blue. The Jammu and Kashmir pacer, virtually unknown beyond domestic circles, stepped in as a replacement for T. Natarajan at Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) after the latter was sidelined by injury. 

Initially a net bowler, Malik’s raw pace, regularly breaching 150 kmph, caught the eye during practice. Given a chance against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), he bowled a searing spell, and though wickets did not come immediately, his speed turned heads. Retained for 2022, he exploded with 22 wickets, including a five-for against Gujarat Titans (GT). He also received the Emerging Player Award in IPL 2022.

• Rajat Patidar (Royal Challengers Bengaluru, 2022)

Rajat Patidar’s transformation from replacement to Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain is the stuff of dreams. Released after a quiet 2021 and unsold at the 2022 mega auction, he returned mid-season to replace the injured Luvnith Sisodia. Patidar grabbed his chance, scoring 333 runs in eight matches, including a match-defining century in the Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). His fearless batting made him a fan favourite, and by 2025, Patidar was leading RCB.

• Matheesha Pathirana (Chennai Super Kings, 2022)

Matheesha Pathirana, dubbed “Baby Malinga” for his slingy action, arrived as an unknown commodity for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2022. Signed mid-season to replace the injured Adam Milne, the Sri Lankan played only two games in his debut season but made an instant impact in 2023 with his unorthodox bowling. In 12 matches, he claimed 19 wickets and led CSK to its fifth IPL title.

Also read: IPL 2025 - “The game was really lost in the field” - Stephen Fleming points finger at dropped chances in CSK’s loss to PBKS

• Phil Salt (Kolkata Knight Riders, 2024)

Phil Salt’s explosive batting lit up IPL 2024, but his spot in Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was not even guaranteed until Jason Roy’s withdrawal opened the door. Unsold at the auction, Salt grabbed his chance with both hands, hammering 435 runs at a blistering strike rate of 182. His aggressive starts alongside Sunil Narine set the tone for KKR’s title-winning campaign. Though England duties cut his season short, Salt’s impact was undeniable, proving he belonged among the IPL’s elite.

• Shardul Thakur (Lucknow Super Giants, 2025)

Shardul’s journey in IPL 2025 is the stuff of redemption arcs. After eight consecutive IPL seasons, he found himself unsold at the auction, a bitter pill for a player known for his all-round prowess. Set to play county cricket for Essex, Thakur’s plans shifted when Lucknow Super Giants called him up to replace the injured Mohsin Khan. Having trained with LSG pre-season, he hit the ground running, leading Lucknow’s pace attack, snaring nine wickets in five games so far, including a Player of the Match performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

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