Zeeshan Ansari announced his IPL arrival in 2025 with Sunrisers Hyderabad, turning heads as a wicket-taking spinner in a season dominated by batsmen. Across ten high-pressure bowling innings, the 23-year-old claimed six crucial scalps, including a memorable three-wicket burst that derailed a strong batting line-up. Operating at an economy nudging 9.84 on the batting-friendly tracks, he bowled 203 balls and conceded 333 runs while maintaining a sharp strike rate of 33.83. His solitary three-wicket haul underlined his ability to break partnerships at vital junctures—an attribute that quickly endeared him to the SRH think-tank. With no five-wicket haul yet, Ansari’s hunger for more match-defining spells is evident, and fantasy managers have already started tagging him as a differential pick for the 2026 season.

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.