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.

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.