IPL 2021: 1 underrated all-rounder from each team who could win the MVP award

#4 Chennai Super Kings - Shardul Thakur

CSK's Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur has only recently been classified as an all-rounder, but we could see his abilities in both departments on full display in IPL 2021. The Chennai Super Kings have struggled with Dwayne Bravo, who's clearly on the decline, and Thakur might be the perfect replacement.

The Mumbai-born player has been excellent at the death for India in white-ball cricket, and has chipped in with a few handy innings on a regular basis. Although he isn't as fancied as Sam Curran or Ravindra Jadeja, Thakur could turn out to be one of the surprise packages of the IPL 2021 season.

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#3 Delhi Capitals - Ravichandran Ashwin

DC's Ravichandran Ashwin

While Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the best in the world at what he does, he isn't a name that immediately springs to mind when you think about possible contenders for the MVP award.

But the off-spinner's recent return to batting form and incredible exploits with the ball (albeit in a different format) are encouraging signs for the Delhi Capitals, who need him to be at his best in the absence of Shreyas Iyer. Ashwin was one of the team's standout bowlers last year on tracks that didn't offer much turn, and he is only going to do better in IPL 2021.

Ashwin could be a serious candidate for the MVP award in IPL 2021.

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#2 Sunrisers Hyderabad - Vijay Shankar

SRH's Vijay Shankar

Although he's been plagued by injuries in the recent past, Vijay Shankar remains of the country's best pace-bowling all-rounders. And whenever he has been fit, he has put in encouraging performances for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

SRH struggled last year when Shankar was ruled out, with the middle order heavily reliant on his experience and prowess against the spinners. They also needed an extra bowling option when Bhuvneshwar Kumar was injured, and could've used the Tamil Nadu man's services.

Now fit and raring to go, Shankar could have another breakout IPL season and make a case for an Indian comeback.

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#1 Mumbai Indians - Krunal Pandya

MI's Krunal Pandya

While the Mumbai Indians' Krunal Pandya isn't underrated by any stretch of the imagination, he is the least-hyped all-rounder in the team. His bowling, which has always been restrictive at best, seriously struggles against the left-handers.

But Krunal could have a great tournament in both departments. Fresh off a sizzling fifty on ODI debut against England, he has the confidence to be given promotions in the batting order based on the situation. And while MI are playing five games in Chennai and four in Ahmedabad, the left-arm spinner could pick up a ton of wickets if he sticks to his strengths on the turning pitches.

Krunal might not be as big a name as his brother Hardik or Kieron Pollard, but we could see him contend for the MVP award.