Heading into the high-stakes clash, Yadav had accumulated 673 runs in 15 innings, just 15 short of de Villiers’ iconic tally of 687 runs, the highest ever by a non-opener in a single IPL season
Yadav achieved the feat in style, dispatching a boundary off Yuzvendra Chahal in the 10th over to rewrite the record that had stood firm since 2016. With that stroke, the Mumbai Indians' star moved past the South African maestro, who had set the benchmark nearly a decade ago during a season where he averaged 52.84 with a staggering strike rate of 168, guiding Royal Challengers Bangalore to the final
Nine years on, it is Yadav who now reigns supreme in this elite category. The 33-year-old middle-order talisman has been the cornerstone of MI’s campaign in 2025, notching up 700 runs at a strike rate of 167.83
More impressively, Yadav’s purple patch extends beyond just this record. In the final league-stage game, he registered his 14th consecutive score of 25 or more, surpassing South African captain Temba Bavuma’s previous record of 13 such scores in a row
While de Villiers’ 2016 season is still revered for its sheer brilliance and match-winning impact, Yadav’s 2025 exploits deserve equal, if not more, recognition. His shot-making has dazzled fans, and his ability to accelerate in the middle overs without compromising on consistency has elevated Mumbai Indians’ chances of clinching their sixth IPL crown
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