Rahul Ajinkya Tripathi, better known as R A Tripathi, has emerged as one of IPL’s most explosive Indian batsmen, lighting up nine seasons with 2,291 runs off just 1,662 balls at a strike rate of 137. The right-hander has carved 229 boundaries and 85 sixes in 98 innings, showing a boundary every 5.5 balls. While he is still chasing that elusive maiden century, Tripathi has thrilled fans with 12 half-centuries and a blistering 93 as his highest score. Since his eye-catching debut for Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017, Tripathi has hopped across five franchises—Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad and now Chennai Super Kings—adapting seamlessly to every middle-order role. His most productive phase came in the orange of Sunrisers between 2022-24, where his fearless hitting at the death became a hallmark of their campaign. In 2025, CSK secured his services to add firepower at numbers three and four, banking on his proven ability to clear the ropes late in the innings. Though he bowls the occasional off-break, his 1-0-12-0 numbers in a solitary over highlight that his true value lies in dismantling bowling attacks, not containing them. With nearly 2,300 runs of evidence, Tripathi’s bat remains the headline act in the IPL’s high-octane theatre.

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.