Chris Morris – the South African all-rounder who became IPL’s costliest buy at ₹16.25 crore – justified every rupee by delivering 95 wickets across 81 bowling innings between 2013 and 2021. Operating for Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings in eight seasons, Morris struck once every 18.11 balls and never let the economy drift beyond 8.01 runs an over. His 12 three-wicket bursts and best figures of 4 for 23 underline a knack for breaking partnerships at the death. With the bat, Morris was no passenger. Walking in at No. 7 or 8, he blasted 618 runs at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 155 – the fourth-highest among players with 500-plus IPL runs. Thirty-five sixes and 41 fours peppered those 398 deliveries, and his unbeaten 82 off 34 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2021 remains Rajasthan’s quickest fifty-plus score by an overseas player. Two fifties in 49 innings tell the story of a finisher trusted to clear the ropes when 30 off 10 is the equation. From Chennai’s emerging option in 2013 to Royals’ million-dollar match-winner in 2021, Chris Morris turned every over – and every swing of his long levers – into a potential game-changer.

Ashish Nehra IPL career: 106 wickets in 88 innings, 14 three-wicket bursts, best 4 for 10, economy 7.85, strike-rate 18. Overs nine seasons from 2008 to 2017, the left-arm quick turned powerplay destroyer for Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Pune Warriors, Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad. In 2015-16 he spearheaded CSK and SRH attacks, returning 24 wickets in 17 games. His 1908 balls cost only 2495 runs, a testament to discipline on Indian decks. With the bat Nehra was never the headline, yet 41 runs at 66 strike-rate and three fours plus one towering six show he could swing if needed. Highest score 22 off 14, 17 innings, no fifty but plenty of sting in the tail.

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