Joshua “JB” Little has quietly emerged as one of IPL 2024’s most reliable death-over operators for the Gujarat Titans. Across his two-season stay with GT (2023-24) the Irish left-arm quick has featured in 11 matches and bowled every one of them, sending down 38 overs of high-pressure seam. The numbers tell the story: 11 wickets at a strike-rate of 20.7 balls, including a scorching 4 for 28 that remains his personal best. Little’s economy of 8.9 an over is even more impressive when you consider 65 percent of his overs arrive either in the powerplay or the final five, where margins are razor-thin. He is yet to concede a six in the 20th over this season, a testament to his pinpoint yorkers and clever change of pace. While he hasn’t breached the five-wicket mark, his lone three-wicket burst against Lucknow at the Ekana Stadium swung a tight chase GT’s way and underlined why the franchise retained him for a second straight year. With the bat, Little is yet to get a hit in the IPL—zero runs, zero balls faced—but that is by design rather than omission. His real currency is wickets in clutch moments, and on current evidence the Titans have every reason to keep trusting JB Little when the game is on the line.

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.