We all remember the iconic images: MS Dhoni lifting the trophy in the yellow of CSK, Rohit Sharma leading a Mumbai Indians huddle, or Gautam Gambhir’s fierce celebration for KKR. These moments are etched into our collective memory because they happen every year. But the IPL is a massive machine, and in the chaos of a two-month tournament, some names inevitably slip through the cracks.
Winning an IPL title is the pinnacle of domestic T20 cricket, yet there’s a surprisingly long list of players who have a winner's medal sitting in a drawer somewhere, even though most fans would bet a small fortune they never won a thing. Here are ten "forgotten" champions who reached the top of the mountain.
If you ask someone who won the 2012 final for Kolkata Knight Riders, they might guess Gautam Gambhir or Jacques Kallis. But the real hero was Manvinder Bisla. Coming in as a late replacement for Brendon McCullum, Bisla played the innings of a lifetime—89 off 48 balls—to chase down CSK’s massive total. He disappeared from the limelight almost as quickly as he arrived, but for one night in Chennai, he was the king of Kolkata.
The inaugural season was defined by Shane Warne’s "ragtag" bunch of underdogs. While Shane Watson and Sohail Tanvir grabbed the headlines, a tiny opener from Goa named Swapnil Asnodkar was the engine room. He formed a fearless partnership with Graeme Smith, scoring over 300 runs in the season. He helped birth the "rockstar" culture at RR, yet today, he’s rarely mentioned in the league’s history books.
Also read : Guwahati Showdown: Can the 15-Year-Old Sooryavanshi Outshine Virat Kohli?
LSG’s New Finisher: How Mukul Choudhary Pulled Off the Heist of the Year
The Eden Gardens Robbery? Why KKR Fans are Fuming at the Umpires Today
Visit Lotus365 club Home for exciting games
Before he became one of the most expensive players in IPL auction history, Pawan Negi was a quiet contributor to the Chennai Super Kings machine. He was part of the 2011 squad that defended their title at the Chepauk. Negi eventually moved on to bigger contracts elsewhere, but his first taste of silverware came under Dhoni’s wing in a season where he was largely a squad player.
The 2009 season in South Africa was a fever dream for Deccan Chargers fans. Adam Gilchrist was the face of that campaign, but T. Suman was the silent stabilizer in the middle order. He played several crucial cameos that ensured the Chargers didn't collapse under pressure. When they lifted the trophy in Johannesburg, Suman was right there in the middle of the celebrations.
Left-arm spinners are the unsung workhorses of T20, and Iqbal Abdulla was exactly that for KKR in their first title-winning year. He even won the "Emerging Player of the Year" award in 2011. By the time they won it all in 2012, he was a key part of their bowling unit. It’s easy to forget his contribution because he wasn't a "star," but he was a vital cog in Gambhir’s spin-heavy strategy.
Aditya Tare is famous for hitting that six against Rajasthan Royals to qualify for the playoffs, but people often forget he’s actually a multi-time IPL champion. Being a wicketkeeper in the same era as some legends meant Tare spent a lot of time on the bench or playing supporting roles, but he has more winner’s medals than most international captains.
We mostly remember Balaji for his infectious smile and his hat-trick in the very first season of the IPL. However, his most successful stint came much later with KKR. In 2012, he was a senior figure in the bowling attack that helped Kolkata clinch their maiden title. His experience was vital in the death overs, even if the "Mystery Spin" of Sunil Narine took all the credit.
Karan Sharma might be the ultimate lucky charm. He achieved the incredible feat of winning three consecutive IPL titles with three different teams. Whether it was with David Warner’s SRH, Rohit’s MI, or Dhoni’s CSK, Karan was always part of the winning locker room. Despite this "hat-trick" of titles, he remains one of the most understated players in the league.
Manpreet Gony was one of the original IPL success stories. His bustling pace and long-handle hitting made him a favorite during CSK’s early years. He was part of the squad that finally broke the jinx in 2010 to win Chennai’s first title. While his international career was brief, his contribution to the foundation of the CSK dynasty was immense.
The boy wonder who led India to a U19 World Cup title was expected to be the "next big thing." While his IPL career didn't quite hit the heights everyone predicted, he was part of the Mumbai Indians squad that lifted the trophy in 2015. He played a handful of games that season, and while he’s now playing his cricket in the USA, he remains an IPL champion on paper.
Cricket is often a game of statistics, but those numbers rarely capture the vibe of a winning dressing room. These players might not have their names on the stadium walls, but they were there when the champagne was sprayed and the lights were brightest. They remind us that winning a championship isn't just about the superstars—it’s about the guys who fill the gaps, play the cameos, and hold the line when the pressure is on.
So, the next time you see a veteran player in the dugout, remember: they might just have a winner's medal in their pocket that you’ve completely forgotten about.
If you’ve ever sat at home during an IPL match, wishing you could feel the ground shake when a six hits the stands, you’re in luck. While the stadiums in Mumbai or Chennai are the "main stage," the BCCI has been working on a massive project to ensure the rest of India doesn't miss out on the party.
There’s something about watching Yashasvi Jaiswal bat right now—it doesn’t feel like he’s chasing runs, it feels like runs are quietly lining up for him. The Orange Cap isn’t just sitting on his head; it looks settled there, like it belongs.
There’s a certain pause that creeps in when Ravi Bishnoi begins his run-up. Not loud, not dramatic—just a subtle shift in attention. The batter watches closely, the crowd leans in, and then comes a delivery that doesn’t quite behave the way it should.
There’s a specific kind of tension that only an Aviator player understands. You’re watching that little red plane climb, the multiplier is ticking up—1.5x, 2.8x, 5.2x—and your finger is hovering over the button. You know that if you wait one second too long, it flies away and the screen goes dark. But if you tap too early, you leave the "big win" on the table.
Lotus365 has established itself as India’s premier sports exchange, known for its transparency and high-liquidity markets. By logging in through our Official Portal, you ensure that your data is protected by the latest 2026 security protocols and that you are accessing the genuine Lotus 365 Exchange engine.
Experience the thrill of the Lotus365 original site, the most trusted online cricket ID provider in the country. Whether you are looking for high-stakes action or casual gaming, our platform offers a seamless and secure environment for all your needs. From the latest Lotus365 bonus offer to a massive variety of games, we are the best alternative to Lotus365 clones, providing a premium experience on our Lotus365 official website.
The IPL has always been more than just a cricket tournament; it’s a data scientist’s playground and a fan’s emotional rollercoaster. But as we cross the mid-way point of the 2026 season, the way we digest the game has fundamentally shifted.
If you tuned into the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs. Punjab Kings match earlier today, you might have felt a bit sorry for the bowlers. There’s "being in good form," and then there’s whatever Abhishek Sharma was doing in Mullanpur. It didn’t look like a high-stakes professional cricket match; it looked like a guy playing stick cricket on the easiest setting.
If you spend any time on the gaming side of the internet, you’ve probably noticed that content creators come and go like seasonal trends. One day a channel is the "next big thing," and six months later, it’s a ghost town. But then you have Aura Gaming.
The conversation around Indian cricket is currently dominated by one name that sounds more like a legend from the past than a teenager in the present: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Experience the thrill of live sports betting at your fingertips. The Lotus365 app is designed to give you a lightning-fast interface, ensuring you never miss a match-winning moment during IPL 2026. Optimized for Android, our mobile application offers a more secure and stable way to manage your Lotus365 betting ID.