Lungi Ngidi IPL profile: 29 wickets, 12.83 strike rate, 5 three-wicket bursts power RCB 2025 campaign. South African speedster Lungi Ngidi has carved a reputation as one of the IPL’s most incisive new-ball and death-over operators since his 2018 debut with Chennai Super Kings. Across four seasons—three with CSK and the latest with Royal Challengers Bengaluru—Ngidi has sent down 372 balls, conceded only 529 runs and struck 29 times, translating into an impressive strike rate of 12.83 balls per wicket. His ability to break partnerships is underlined by five three-wicket hauls and a best of 4 for in an innings, while an economy of 8.53 keeps pressure constant. With just a single batting cameo to his name, Ngidi’s story is purely one of pace, precision and wicket-taking flair that RCB will bank on in IPL 2025.

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.