Tim Southee has quietly become one of the IPL’s most bankable death-over specialists, piling up 47 wickets from 54 bowling innings across ten seasons for six franchises. The New Zealand quick’s most recent spell with Kolkata Knight Riders—his home since 2021—has seen him own the tough overs, landing four three-wicket hauls while never once conceding a five-for. Operating at an 8.67 economy rate and striking every 25.66 balls, Southee’s 1,206 legal deliveries have cost batters 1,742 runs but have also delivered momentum-turning breakthroughs. Away from the ball, the lower-order slugger has pounced on loose deliveries when asked, racing to 120 runs off only 107 balls, including eight fours and four sixes, with a top-score of 36. Yet the real story remains his mastery with the ball: three maximums in an innings on his best day, and a career-best haul of three wickets in a match—achieved four times—showing that Southee’s value rises when the pressure peaks.

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.