The role of the finisher in a team is the most critical when it comes to the shortest format of the game. Those teams who lack proper finishers often struggle to close out the games. On the surface it may look like the batsmen are just trying to power every delivery to the boundary line but in reality, finishing an innings is nothing like that. The batsman at the crease is always trying to over-smart the fielding team and also assessing how to go about it. If the team is chasing the finisher’s job is comparatively easier as the target is set. But if the aim is to set a target the finisher’s life becomes a bit more difficult as they now have to judge what would be a good total considering the conditions. Rajasthan Royals hold the record for the highest chase as they chased down 223 against the Punjab Kings in IPL 2022 and this game had a high bet rate in IPL. Next up is the list of arguably the best finishers in IPL history.
1. Kieron Pollard – Mumbai Indians
The West Indian maestro is at the top of our list as the best finisher to ever grace the IPL arena. The Mumbai Indians all-rounder has won them quite a few matches through his power hitting. In IPL 2012 Mumbai Indians were batting first against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Mumbai Indians were struggling at 68 for 3 when Pollard came to the crease. He took over the reins of the innings from that point and blistered his way to 64 runs of just 33 balls. The innings included 6 fours and 4 maximums. Pollard struck the ball cleanly as Mumbai set a target of 198 for the Sunrisers. In reply, the Hyderabad franchise just managed to put together 170 runs in their innings.
His best innings came in a match in IPL 2013 against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Chasing a total of 179 the match was almost done and dusted when Mumbai needed 62 runs off 24 balls. Pollard went berserk as he cleared the boundary eight times. Mumbai Indians chased the target in 19.3 overs due to the one and only Kieron Pollard. His stats in IPL while playing the role of a finisher are staggering as he has managed to score 3000 plus runs in 154 matches. That’s why he is arguably the best finisher in IPL history.
2. MS Dhoni – Chennai Super Kings
Captain Cool Mahindra Singh Dhoni features next on our list. His calmness under pressure is what separates him from the rest. The inventor of the Helicopter shot holds the record of staying not out the greatest number of times in the history of the tournament which is a testament to his finishing ability. In IPL 2010, in a match against Punjab Kings, the Chennai Super Kings were chasing 193 to win. It all came down to the final over where Chennai needed 16 to win. Dhoni didn’t need an over to finish the game as he hit Irfan Pathan for one four and two sixes in the first three balls of the over to take Chennai home. As a result, Chennai Super Kings advanced to the semi-finals of the tournament.
His best innings though came while representing Rising Pune Supergiant in IPL 2016. The unfortunate opposition was once again Punjab Kings. Pune needed 23 runs off the last over bowled by Axar Patel. With only 7 runs scored off the first three balls, 16 runs were required off the last three. Dhoni hit the bowler for a four and then smashed two sixes off the last two balls and unbelievably took his team to victory. The Indian legend has 4677 runs in 186 matches in IPL with a strike rate of 134.64 and is certainly one of the greats when it comes to finishing.
3. AB de Villiers – Royal Challengers Bangalore
AB de Villiers as known as Mr. 360 has been a treat to watch in the IPL over the years. The Royal Challengers Bangalore man is famous for his death overs batting. In the history of the tournament, the South African has hit 2nd most number sixes and 6th most number of runs. His ability to hit the ball anywhere around the ground earned him the title of Mr. 360. De Villiers has played many memorable knocks in his IPL career. His best innings as a ‘finisher’ came against Gujarat Lions in 2016 in the first Qualifier. Royal Challengers Bangalore in their pursuit of 159 runs were in disarray as the top order was sent packing by the Gujarat bowlers early in the chase. Ab de Villiers walked in and took the game from the hands of Gujarat by his sensible batting with the tail-enders. He hit 79 runs off of just 47 balls to secure the victory. The innings included 5 fours and 5 towering sixes.
Ab de Villiers’ record in the death overs is staggering. The swashbuckler has 1254 runs in 67 matches with a strike rate of 233. He averages 39.2 in those 67 innings. His stats show his dominance in the league as a finisher and he certainly belongs in the list of the best finishers in the history of IPL.
4. Andre Russell – Kolkata Knight Riders
The West Indian powerhouse Andre Russell as known as Dre Russ has shown his dominance with the bat all over the globe. The man is a menace to the bowlers when he gets going. He holds the record for having the highest strike rate in the history of IPL. Dre Russ has played a lot of incredible innings in his IPL career. His best came in a match against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Kolkata Knight Riders were chasing 206 and the equation came down to 52 required in 16 balls. Andre Russell made quick work of it as he blasted the RCB bowlers for a 13 ball 48 including 7 huge sixes. The match ended with five balls to spare.
Andre Russell’s stats at the death are incredible as he has scored 665 runs with an average of 24 and a strike rate of 218 in 38 innings. Russell has played a lot of incredible innings as a finisher for Kolkata Knight Riders cementing his place as a deadly finisher in the history of the league.
5. Hardik Pandya – Mumbai Indians
The Mumbai Indians player has rapidly become one of the best finishers in the game since his debut in 2015. He along with Kieron Pollard is one of the biggest reasons for Mumbai Indians’ success in the IPL. His best innings to date have been the 29 runs off 11 balls he scored against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2017. In their chase of 179 Mumbai Indians needed 60 runs of the last 24 balls. Pollard’s departure brought Pandya on the crease and he creamed the Kolkata bowlers for a quick-fire 29 and wrapped up the chase. Innings like these have made his reputation as one of the best finishers in the history of the IPL. His stats in the death overs make for fantastic reading as he has scored 836 runs with a strike rate of 192.2 while averaging an impressive 31. He also boasts the fourth-best strike in the history of the IPL with a strike rate of 159.26. He has also scored a 17-ball-50 which is the fifth fastest-fifty in the IPL history.
