IPL power-hitter Prerak Mankad has quietly built a reputation as a late-order finisher, and the numbers from his first two seasons tell the story. Across 73 balls faced for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2023 and Punjab Kings the year before, the 29-year-old has stacked up 97 runs at an eye-catching strike-rate of 132. His standout knock came at the Ekana Stadium when he exploded for a 40-ball 64 — a fearless innings that contained 13 fours and 2 sixes — to register his maiden IPL half-century and announce himself on the big stage. With five innings under his belt and a highest score of 64*, Mankad is quickly emerging as a reliable lower-middle order option who can turn a game in the death overs.

Ajinkya Rahane IPL journey spans 17 seasons, 183 innings and a mountain of 5,032 runs that have come off 4,025 balls at a brisk strike-rate of 125. The Mumbai-born right-hander has punished bowlers for 514 fours and 123 sixes, crossing fifty 33 times and reaching three figures on two memorable occasions, the highest being an unbeaten 105. After stints with Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings, he is back with Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2025. While Rahane has rolled his arm over only once in the league, picking up a solitary wicket in a six-ball cameo that cost five runs, he remains celebrated as one of the league’s most technically sound and consistent top-order batsmen.

Note: This overview is partially generated using AI and is based on statistical data. Please verify with official sources for complete accuracy.