V Nigam burst onto the IPL stage in 2025 with Delhi Capitals, turning heads as a genuine all-round match-winner. In just eight innings with the bat, the 21-year-old hammered 142 runs at a scorching strike rate of 179, peppering boundaries at will—15 fours and eight towering sixes. His fearless cameos, topped by a 39-run blitz, gave DC the late-overs impetus they craved. Even more eye-catching was his impact with the ball. Handed the new ball and trusted at the death, Nigam featured in 13 bowling innings, snaring 11 wickets at an impressive strike rate of 21.27 balls per wicket. While 2 for best figures might sound modest, the fact that he achieved this while going at 9.13 an over in high-scoring 2025 games underscores his nerve under pressure. In a single season, Nigam became one of the rare players to cross 140 runs and 10 wickets, a stat line that places him in elite all-round company. Delhi Capitals unearthed a 360-degree gem who can flip matches with both bat and ball—exactly the blueprint modern T20 franchises chase.

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.