The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed some of the best and most celebrated batsmen in the T20 format. These batters exhibit extraordinary skills with superlative stroke play while maintaining a cool demeanor.
Over the years, some players have achieved legendary status as the best finishers in the IPL. These players can easily turn the tide of any match in their favor making them the highlight of any IPL auction. But do you know who is the best finisher in IPL history among all-star players?
In this article, we will provide a comprehensive list of players who’ve enamored us with their amazing skills.
10. Rinku Singh
Well, at number 10, we have a player who is just starting out in the IPL but quickly gained a reputation as an impact player. He can be easily termed as the best finisher in IPL history.
In recent years, Rinku has given some memorable performances including hitting five consecutive sixes in IPL 2023 to win a match. The consistent display of good hitting earned him the tag of best finisher in the IPL for Kolkata Knight Riders. He has made 893 runs in 45 matches at a strike rate of 143.34.
9. Chris Morris
Another South African on the list is Chris Morris. He is an all-rounder but prefers batting at crucial times. He is known for long levers, and putting bad balls in the stands. He has played for many teams over the years including CSK, RCB, DC, and RR.
He earned the tag of best finisher in the IPL by scoring quickly in the death overs. Up until now, he has scored 618 runs in 81 matches with a strike rate of 155.28. Apart from this, he can also pitch in with his bowling.
8. Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant, the flamboyant batsman from Delhi has quickly become one of the most reliable finishers in the world. The Wicketkeeper batsman is known for his fearless batting to put opposition under pressure. He has saved his team DC on several occasions with his superb performance.
In just 111 matches, he has already made 3284 runs at an average of 35.31 and has hit 154 sixes as well. His contributions to the team are significant.
7. Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell, the Australian champion, is famous for his aggressive style of play. His ability to quickly change gears at will makes him one of the top 10 best finishers in the IPL.
Over the years, Maxwell has made significant contributions to the teams he was playing for. He has been remarkably great for Punjab and Bangalore. In just 134 matches, he has already hit 160 sixes.
6. David Miller
David Miller, the mighty South African, is known for playing calm innings even when put under pressure. But his ability to deliver long shots at will makes him the best finisher in the IPL.
Over the years, Miller has played for many teams including Punjab, Rajasthan, Lucknow, and now he plays for Gujarat Titans. In 2013, he played a blinder 101 off just 38 balls to take his team to victory. His performance makes him a prime selection for the IPL franchise.
5. Hardik Pandya
Just after his debut in 2015, Hardik has grown into an integral part of the Mumbai Indians team. A lot of his success was due to his ability to smack bowlers around down the order. He used his big-hitting skills to give a boost to Mumbai’s middle order.
In IPL 2017 against KKR, Mumbai fell behind and required 60 off the last four overs. Hardik Made 29 of just 11 balls to take his team home and solidify his position as the best finisher in the IPL.
4. Andre Russell
Russell is a ferocious cricketer who is unmatchable when on song. The batting all-rounder from the Caribbean is close to impossible to stop when he is in the mood. Russell has been one of the key players for Kolkata Knight Riders for a long time now. With them, he has proved that he can win matches at will.
His best inning came against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2019 when KKR required 206 to win. Rusell faced 11 of the last 13 balls and made 47 runs with 7 sixes.
3. Kieron Pollard
Kieron Pollard is arguably the most valuable overseas player for Mumbai. He has been a rock in the middle order of Mumbai and often provided them with late bursts at the end with his uninhibited hitting.
He always backs himself to clear the ropes even in the trickiest of conditions. He has a record of hitting three fifties within 20 balls in an inning which makes him the best finisher in the world. His best game came against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2013 when the team needed 62 off just the last four overs. In that inning, Pollard smashed eight sixes off the last 27 balls to take the team home.
2. AB de Villiers
At number two, we have AB de Villiers. Popularly known as “Mr. 360”, AB has carved a niche for himself in the IPL. He is particularly known for his innovative shots and ability to score runs all around the park.
AB has played some of the best knocks in IPL history, especially with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). His ability to play unorthodox shots makes him one of the most dangerous players in the history of the game. This has earned him 5162 runs with an average of 39.71 and a career strike rate of 151.68. His unbeaten score of 133 in just 59 balls remains to be one of the best finishes in IPL history.
1. MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni is the best finisher in IPL history, there is no one better than him. The former Indian captain is known to stay cool as a cucumber while playing some of the greatest shots of cricket history. Not just in the IPL, we can also say that he was the best finisher in the Indian cricket team.
He led his team Chennai Super Kings to win five IPL titles with his iconic batting. He scored an unbeaten 54 against Punjab in 2010 and an unbeaten 70 against RCB in 2018. He has an impressive batting record in the IPL. He made more than 5000 runs with an average of almost 40.
Conclusion
In this thrilling league called IPL, finishers have always played a pivotal role in the game. Their explosive hitting under pressure makes them a key resource for any team. Players in this list have provided fans with countless unforgettable moments.
We may debate about who the best finisher in the IPL is, but one thing is for sure: the IPL has provided the world with some of the best talents ever. In the future, new players will take on the mantle of finishers for their team. This will excite fans even more.
Hope this article provides you with all the details of who the top 10 finishers in IPL are.
FAQs
Q.1 Who is the best finisher in IPL history?
Ans: Many would argue otherwise, but MS Dhoni is considered as the best finisher in the IPL history. He has led the Chennai Super Kings to five IPL titles.
Q.2 Who is the No 1 finisher in the world?
Ans: In the world of cricket, MS Dhoni is considered one of the greatest finishers and captains. He has led Team India to victory on multiple occasions with his calm demeanor and tactical acumen.
Q.3 Who is the rising star in the IPL known for finishing Games?
Ans: Rinku Singh has shown a lot of potential with his performance in the last couple of IPLs to become a bonafide finisher.