Karan Sharma IPL Profile: 83 Wickets Across 12 Seasons Prove He’s a Bowling Asset Worth Watching Karan Sharma’s journey through the Indian Premier League has been defined by one golden arm rather than the bat. Across 87 bowling innings spread over 12 seasons, the 33-year-old off-spinner has picked up 83 wickets at a strike-rate of 19.10—meaning he bursts open an opposition partnership once every three overs. His economy of 8.38 is par for the modern T20 era, but the ability to break stands is what has kept franchises queuing up. Sharma has turned the ball for Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad and now Mumbai Indians, and every stop has produced a match-shaping spell: six three-wicket bursts and a best of 4/25 that showcase his knack for ripping through a middle order. While the bat has rarely been his calling card—352 runs in 40 innings at a highest of 39—Sharma can still clear the ropes when needed, depositing 17 sixes among 20 fours for a strike-rate of 119. Those cameo boundaries have often lifted his team past the par score after he has done the damage with the ball. From his debut in 2009 with RCB to his latest 2025 stint with MI, Sharma has remained a silent banker captains trust in crunch overs.

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.