M Theekshana IPL profile: 36 wickets in 38 innings, 8.27 economy, 24.33 strike-rate Sri Lanka’s mystery spinner M Theekshana has quietly become one of the most economical bowlers in the Indian Premier League. Across four seasons—three with Chennai Super Kings and the ongoing 2025 campaign with Rajasthan Royals—he has sent down 876 balls, conceded 1,207 runs and claimed 36 wickets at an impressive strike-rate of 24.33. Twice he has ripped out three wickets in an innings, his best figures reading 4-wicket bursts that choke the middle overs. While his batting remains a footnote—17 runs in 34 balls with a solitary six—Theekshana’s real value lies in strangling batters during the seven-to-fifteen over phase. Operating at 8.27 runs per over, he forces even power-hitters to second-guess their scoring options. In 2025, wearing the Royals’ pink, the 24-year-old has already become Sanju Samson’s go-to enforcer, spinning webs around opposition line-ups and giving Rajasthan a cutting edge on slow tracks. Expect more economical masterclasses as the tournament progresses.

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.