David Willey’s IPL story is written through the ball, not the bat. Across 11 bowling innings for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2023, the left-arm seamer claimed six wickets, never once going for more than two in any spell. Operating at an impressive strike-rate of 36 balls per wicket and an economy of just 7.56, Willey kept a lid on scoring even at the death. His 216 deliveries cost only 272 runs, a testament to accuracy on Bengaluru’s batting-friendly tracks. While his batting flashes were brief—53 runs from 62 balls with seven boundaries—RCB valued him chiefly for the control and breakthroughs he delivered with the new ball and in the slog overs. Three seasons, two franchises, one clear role: Willey is the swing-and-pace insurance policy every T20 side covets.

Suryakumar Yadav – the man universally known as “SKY” – has spent 13 electrifying IPL seasons turning the 22-yard strip into his personal launchpad. Across 151 innings he has blazed 4,311 runs from 2,900 balls, a strike-rate of 148 that underlines relentless aggression rather than mere accumulation. The right-hander has cleared the ropes 168 times and found the fence another 454 instances, giving him more than one boundary every fifth legal delivery he faces. Two centuries and 29 half-centuries – including a career-best 103 – sit on his résumé, proving that the pyrotechnics are backed by substance when the team needs a big knock. SKY’s journey began with Mumbai Indians in 2012, shifted to Kolkata Knight Riders for four productive years, then returned to the blue-and-gold in 2018. Since that homecoming he has worn the MI colours every single season up to 2025, becoming the heartbeat of the middle order at the Wankhede. With 4,311 runs he now sits among the league’s elite run-getters, and the fact that he has done it at a near-150 strike-rate makes the record even more formidable. Whether scooping over short fine-leg, sweeping fast bowlers, or muscling sixes into the stands, Suryakumar Yadav has re-defined 360-degree batting in the IPL and shows no signs of slowing down.

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