Sourav Ganguly’s IPL journey spanned five seasons from 2008 to 2012, lighting up Eden Gardens for Kolkata Knight Riders and, later, the MCA Stadium for Pune Warriors. Across 56 innings the Prince of Kolkata piled on 1,349 runs at a strike-rate of 106, peppering boundaries with 137 fours and 42 sixes. He reached fifty on seven occasions and came within nine runs of a maiden IPL century, his highest score an unbeaten 91. That innings, a 63-ball master-class, remains the loudest roar Pune ever heard. While primarily celebrated for batting, Ganguly rolled his arm over in 20 innings, claiming 10 wickets with a best of 2 for 18. Bowling at an economy of 7.89 and a strike-rate of 27.6, he often broke partnerships when his side needed a breakthrough. From 2008 to 2010 in purple and gold, then switching to the Warriors’ navy blue in 2011-12, Ganguly’s left-arm spin was the surprise package behind his elegant off-side artistry. His 1,349 runs are the headline, but those 10 wickets tell the fuller story of a captain who could turn games with both bat and ball.

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.