Afghan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai has quietly become one of the Indian Premier League’s most reliable new-ball enforcers, and his two-season journey from Gujarat Titans in 2024 to Punjab Kings in 2025 underlines a rapid ascent. Across 15 bowling innings he has snapped 12 wickets, never taking fewer than one in any spell and twice striking twice in an over. Those scalps have come from 48 overs—exactly 288 balls—at an impressive strike-rate of 24.00, while the economy sits at 9.69 despite bowling mostly inside the powerplay and at the death. The numbers tell the story of a bowler trusted to attack: zero three-fors or five-fors yet, but every spell carries threat. With the bat Omarzai is still emerging—99 runs in 74 balls, eight fours and five sixes, and a highest of 21—but the 133 strike-rate shows intent whenever Punjab need late-order impetus. After two short campaigns he already owns the rare combination of consistent wicket-taking and boundary-clearing muscle, making Azmatullah Omarzai a name IPL fans will search for as the 2025 playoffs loom.

Faf du Plessis has become one of the most bankable IPL openers across 13 seasons and four franchises, culminating in his 2025 stint with Delhi Capitals. The South African has stacked up 4,773 runs at a strike rate of 135, carving 439 boundaries and clearing the rope 174 times—numbers that paint the picture of a batsman who keeps the scoreboard in perpetual motion. With 39 half-centuries from 147 innings, he has built consistency into aggression, while his unbeaten 96 remains the tantalising high-water mark just short of a maiden IPL ton. From Chennai Super Kings’ yellow to Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s red and now Delhi Capitals’ blue, du Plessis has turned every jersey into a run-making statement, proving that adaptability and class travel well in T20 cricket.

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