Irfan Pathan’s IPL story is told best through the rhythm of his left-arm swing. Across nine seasons from 2008 to 2017, the all-rounder turned 2043 deliveries into 80 wickets at a strike-rate of 25.54, keeping batters guessing with an economy of 7.78. Four times he tilted matches with three-wicket bursts, never more devastating than when the new ball nipped away under lights. Yet Pathan the bowler had a batting heartbeat. Promoted up the order, he smashed 1139 runs from 946 balls, striking at 120 and clearing the ropes 37 times while threading 87 fours. His lone fifty—an electric 60—came at 186.66 and remains a reminder that he could flip a chase in a flash. From Punjab Kings in the inaugural year to the debutant Gujarat Titans in 2017, Pathan wore six different jerseys, but the left-arm angle and fearless swing stayed constant. Eighty wickets, 1139 runs: the numbers frame a rare IPL double—strike bowler who could also open the batting and win you a game either side of the innings.

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.