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.

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.