IPL explosive finisher R Shepherd has become the league’s go-to six-hitting all-rounder for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2025. Across four IPL seasons with four different franchises—RCB, Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants and Sunrisers Hyderabad—Shepherd has muscled 185 runs at a jaw-dropping strike-rate of 212, clearing the ropes 17 times and finding the fence on 12 other occasions. His lone half-century, a 28-ball 53, showcased his ability to turn games in the death overs. While batting remains his headline act, Shepherd’s right-arm medium has quietly chipped in with 10 wickets from 15 bowling innings. Operating at an economy of 11.66 and a strike-rate of 21, he has twice returned with two-wicket bursts, providing crucial breakthroughs when captains need a momentum shift. From Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2022 to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2025, Shepherd’s journey underlines a player trusted for his big-hitting prowess and handy overs—a modern T20 utility who can win matches with both bat and ball.

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.