Manish Pandey IPL journey spans 18 seasons from 2008 to 2025, making him one of the league's longest-tenured batters. Across 160 innings, the right-hander has stacked up 3,942 runs at a strike-rate of 121, turning the crease into his personal canvas with 340 fours and 115 sixes. His lone century, a career-best 114, headlines 22 half-centuries that showcase his knack for converting starts into match-defining knocks. Pandey’s bat has done all the talking—zero wickets across zero bowling overs underline his single-minded focus on run-scoring. From his debut with Mumbai Indians in 2008 to his current stint with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2025, he has worn seven franchise jerseys, finding his longest home at KKR where he has spent eight seasons. Each return to the purple and gold has coincided with a surge in performances, proving that familiarity breeds runs. Whether anchoring innings or accelerating in the middle overs, Pandey’s 3,244 balls faced tell the story of a batter who values both strike rotation and boundary-hitting. With 22 fifty-plus scores in 160 innings, he has crossed fifty roughly every seven visits to the crease—a testament to consistency in the tournament’s ever-changing landscape.

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.