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.

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.