Harpreet Brar IPL 2025: Punjab Kings’ left-arm orthodox spinner has quietly become one of the league’s most economical wicket-takers. Across seven seasons—all spent in the red-and-gold of Punjab Kings—the 28-year-old has picked up 35 wickets from 811 balls while conceding just over eight runs an over. His strike-rate of 23.17 balls per scalp is among the best for any Indian slow bowler in the tournament’s last five years, and his four three-wicket hauls underline his knack for breaking partnerships. The story behind the numbers is of control meeting guile: only four bowlers have bowled more overs for Punjab since 2020, yet Brar’s economy stays rock solid at 8.03 even on batting-friendly tracks. His standout spell came in 2021 when he rocked the Royals with 4/15—still his personal best—and he has now delivered at least one three-wicket performance in four different campaigns. While Brar’s batting is largely used for late-order cameos, his 120 strike-rate from 244 runs shows he can swing a game in either discipline. Expect the Punjab Kings to keep leaning on him as a middle-overs choke bowler who can turn the match with one tight over and a timely breakthrough.

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.