Asif K M IPL 2023: Rajasthan Royals mystery spinner strikes at 19 balls per wicket, pocketing seven scalps in just 133 deliveries. After quiet seasons with Chennai Super Kings in 2018 and 2021, the 25-year-old returned in RR colours and immediately tightened the screws, twice ripping out two-wicket bursts to choke rival middle orders. Operating at a brisk economy of 10.42, Asif has shown he can hold his nerve in the death overs while still hunting wickets every three overs. With 231 runs conceded across seven sharp bowling innings, his economy story is one of controlled aggression—no five-fors yet, but the knack for breaking partnerships keeps him on the Royals’ radar.

Hardik Pandya IPL career story: 11 seasons, 2749 runs at a 146 strike-rate, 148 sixes, 10 half-centuries Hardik Pandya has been one of the Indian Premier League’s most explosive batting all-rounders since his 2015 debut with Mumbai Indians. Across 140 innings he has unleashed 2,749 runs off just 1,871 balls, translating to a fearsome strike-rate of 146—the sort of number that turns middle-overs into match-winning passages. He has cleared the ropes 148 times and found the boundary another 207 times, underlining why captains post straight long-on and deep mid-wicket for him from ball one. His highest score of 91 and ten half-centuries show he can both finish innings and anchor them when required. While Pandya’s primary currency is runs, he has also delivered 78 wickets in 107 bowling innings, including one five-for and five three-wicket bursts. Operating at an economy of 9.18 and a strike-rate of 20.87, he often bowls the difficult overs at the death, trusting his cutters and the slower ball. Having represented Mumbai Indians for eight of his eleven campaigns and captained Gujarat Titans to the 2022 title, Pandya’s dual-skill value has made him a marquee name every mega auction.

Note: This overview is partially generated using AI and is based on statistical data. Please verify with official sources for complete accuracy.