Azhar Mahmood, the seasoned Pakistan all-rounder, lit up three IPL seasons between 2012 and 2015 for Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders, delivering exactly the kind of late-order fireworks and disciplined seam that wins tight matches. Batting at a strike-rate of 128, Mahmood hammered 388 runs off 303 balls, including 39 fours and 13 sixes. His two half-centuries peaked at an 80-run blitzkrieg that showcased his ability to clear the rope when it mattered most. Yet it is with the ball that Mahmood truly tilted games. Across 23 bowling innings he snapped 29 wickets at a brisk strike-rate of 18.52 balls per scalp and kept pressure on with an economy of 7.82. Four three-wicket bursts underline his knack for breaking partnerships, even if a five-for eluded him. In 537 deliveries he conceded only 700 runs, numbers that reflect both control and penetration on Indian pitches. From 2012 to 2015, whether in Punjab red or KKR purple, Azhar Mahmood offered captains the rare luxury of a proven finisher who could also close an innings with the ball—exactly the dual threat modern T20 franchises crave.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar IPL Story: 198 wickets, 15 seasons, one master of swing Across 15 IPL seasons, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has built a legacy of relentless accuracy and late swing. From the 2011 season with Pune Warriors to his 2025 stint with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the right-arm quick has bowled 4,222 balls and taken 198 wickets at a strike rate of 21.32—numbers that place him among the league’s all-time greats. His best days came in Sunrisers Hyderabad colours (2014-2024) where he twice hit the five-wicket mark and registered 14 three-wicket hauls. A career-best 5-fer headlines those efforts, while an economy of 7.69 runs per over shows he can choke batters even on true pitches. With the bat, Bhuvi has chipped in 320 runs off 351 balls, clearing the rope three times and finding 31 fours. While batting remains a bonus, his highest score of 27 underlines his ability to stay at the crease when needed. In 2025, the swing king brings 198 IPL wickets to the RCB dressing room, promising the same early breakthroughs and death-over control that have defined his decade-and-a-half journey.

Note: This overview is partially generated using AI and is based on statistical data. Please verify with official sources for complete accuracy.