England’s Chris Woakes has quietly become one of the Indian Premier League’s most reliable new-ball operators. In three short campaigns—split between Delhi Capitals (2021), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2018) and Kolkata Knight Riders (2017)—the right-arm quick has snapped 30 wickets from only 21 bowling innings, striking every 14.67 balls and conceding 8.97 runs per over. His standout trait is consistency: he has produced three separate three-wicket bursts, the only multiple-wicket hauls he has needed to stay in the spotlight. Woakes’ 440 balls in the competition translate to 658 runs leaked—numbers that underline a bowler who attacks rather than contains. His best figures of 3 for, achieved on three occasions, prove he can tilt games in a single spell. While his batting has been limited to cameos—78 runs from 77 balls with seven fours and two sixes at a strike-rate of 101—his value to franchises lies firmly with the ball. In an era of sky-high totals, Woakes’ 30 scalps at a sub-15-ball strike-rate make him a proven, SEO-rich match-winner for any IPL side searching for championship-defining pace.

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.