Gautam Gambhir IPL profile: 11 seasons, 4 217 runs, 36 fifties, 492 fours – the Delhi opener who turned KKR into champions. From the inaugural 2008 season to his 2018 swansong with Delhi Capitals, Gautam Gambhir owned the top of the IPL order. In 151 innings he amassed 4 217 runs—every 123rd run coming off the sweet spot of his blade—making him one of only five batsmen to cross 4 000 for a single franchise. The left-hander peppered boundaries at will: 492 fours flicked and driven through off-side gaps and 59 sixes lofted over mid-wicket. Although he narrowly missed an individual hundred, his 36 half-centuries tell a tale of relentless consistency; his highest score of 93 came while chasing under lights at the Eden Gardens, the ground he eventually called home for seven unforgettable years. Gambhir’s true legacy lies in transforming Kolkata Knight Riders from also-rans to title-winners in 2012 and 2014. Leading from the front, he scored 590 and 408 runs in those respective seasons, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest run-getter in 2012. Whether donning the purple of KKR or the blue of Delhi Capitals, Gambhir’s strike rate of 123 ensured scoreboard pressure never eased. His 3 404 balls faced are a testament to his role as anchor and aggressor rolled into one—an enduring symbol of IPL batting excellence.

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.