IPL wicket-keeper batter J M Sharma has turned himself into one of the most explosive finishers in the league, stacking up 991 runs off just 631 balls at a jaw-dropping strike-rate of 157 across four seasons. The 27-year-old has already cleared the ropes 62 times and found the fence 77 times during his 47-innings journey, numbers that underline his six-hitting appetite and boundary-hunting mindset. His personal-best 85 against Gujarat Titans in 2024 remains the highest score by any RCB debutant in a single knock, a statement that helped him earn a headline switch from Punjab Kings to Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of IPL 2025. Sharma’s lone half-century came in that memorable 2024 season while wearing the Punjab Kings jersey, and his seamless transition to the RCB camp has already set tongues wagging about his potential to become the next big finisher in Bengaluru colours. With 1,000 IPL runs just nine runs away and a reputation for turning matches in the death overs, J M Sharma is primed to light up the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL 2025 as a key cog in the RCB middle-order.

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.