Dinesh Karthik has turned IPL longevity into an art, spanning 17 seasons and eight different franchises before settling in as the finisher for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2024. With 4,842 runs off just 3,577 balls, the veteran wicket-keeper-batsman has built his reputation on fearless hitting: 466 fours and 161 sixes fly off his blade at a strike rate of 135. Though a highest score of 97 has kept him tantalisingly short of a century, 22 half-centuries underline a career of consistent cameos and clutch chases. From his 2008 debut with Delhi Capitals to title runs with Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, Karthik has been the silent points-multiplier every squad craves. In 233 innings he has repeatedly walked in during high-pressure overs and flipped games in a blink—turning dot balls into boundary fests and scoreboard pressure into victory chants. Now donning the RCB red for his fourth straight season, the 39-year-old remains one of the league’s premier finishers, proving that experience, smart strike rotation and raw power can still outshine younger legs.

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.