Chris Morris – the South African all-rounder who became IPL’s costliest buy at ₹16.25 crore – justified every rupee by delivering 95 wickets across 81 bowling innings between 2013 and 2021. Operating for Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings in eight seasons, Morris struck once every 18.11 balls and never let the economy drift beyond 8.01 runs an over. His 12 three-wicket bursts and best figures of 4 for 23 underline a knack for breaking partnerships at the death. With the bat, Morris was no passenger. Walking in at No. 7 or 8, he blasted 618 runs at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 155 – the fourth-highest among players with 500-plus IPL runs. Thirty-five sixes and 41 fours peppered those 398 deliveries, and his unbeaten 82 off 34 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2021 remains Rajasthan’s quickest fifty-plus score by an overseas player. Two fifties in 49 innings tell the story of a finisher trusted to clear the ropes when 30 off 10 is the equation. From Chennai’s emerging option in 2013 to Royals’ million-dollar match-winner in 2021, Chris Morris turned every over – and every swing of his long levers – into a potential game-changer.

Ajinkya Rahane IPL journey spans 17 seasons, 183 innings and a mountain of 5,032 runs that have come off 4,025 balls at a brisk strike-rate of 125. The Mumbai-born right-hander has punished bowlers for 514 fours and 123 sixes, crossing fifty 33 times and reaching three figures on two memorable occasions, the highest being an unbeaten 105. After stints with Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings, he is back with Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2025. While Rahane has rolled his arm over only once in the league, picking up a solitary wicket in a six-ball cameo that cost five runs, he remains celebrated as one of the league’s most technically sound and consistent top-order batsmen.

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