Ross Taylor’s IPL story is one of fearless middle-order batting packed into seven seasons from 2008 to 2014. Across 54 innings the New Zealand maestro stacked up 1,017 runs off just 822 balls, translating to a pulsating strike rate of 123. That aggression is best captured in his boundary ledger: 66 fours and 46 sixes—more than one maximum every 18 balls faced. Three half-centuries highlight his knack for turning games, with a career-best 81 remaining his highest score. Though he never crossed three figures, his ability to clear the rope meant a six or four every 7.5 balls, making him a late-overs nightmare for opposition captains. Taylor’s journey took him through five franchises: Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals (twice), and Pune Warriors. The 2014 stint saw him return to Delhi Capitals, the side with which he originally exploded onto the IPL scene in 2012. While he rolled his arm over occasionally, his bowling figures read a modest 12 balls, 24 runs, and no wickets—numbers that underline why his true value always lay with the willow. In essence, Taylor’s IPL résumé is a compact highlight reel of calculated power hitting, delivering 1,000-plus runs at a tempo few middle-order batsmen have matched in the tournament’s history.

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.