Death overs batting is one of the most difficult jobs to master. Players need exemplary skill to finish off games. The IPL has been a breeding ground for many finishers who have delighted the viewers with their finishing abilities. The belief that a team can win from anywhere is a key facet of a great finishing side and that belief is ingrained in a great finisher.
We at StumpsandBails bring to you the 5 best finishers in IPL history:
#5 Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya is India’s best finisher currently. He announced himself at the IPL for Mumbai Indians back in 2015 when he clubbed CSK’s Pawan Negi for 3 huge sixes in the penultimate over of a chase. Pandya has gone on to add mighty muscle to his game since then. He is adept at clearing the boundaries of both spin and fast bowling. Pandya has scored 836 runs in 55 innings in the death overs (17-20) at a strike-rate of 192.2 and an average of 31. Even otherwise, his strike-rate of 159.26 is the 4th highest in IPL history. Pandya might not look like the strongest man physically, but he certainly has the ability to hit the long ball cleanly.
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#4 Andre Russell
Andre Russell has transformed into a six-hitting machine. He hits sixes for fun and no target is too big for Russell. The big-hitting Russell has scored 665 runs in 38 innings at the death at a terrific strike-rate of 218. It was impossible to stop him in the 2019 IPL where he finished with 510 runs to his name. Russell’s overall IPL strike rate is by far the best. He strikes them at 182.33. Russell has won two MVP (most valuable player) awards to add to his finishing credentials.
#3 AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers is arguably one of the best IPL batsmen of all-time. His finishing ability is incomparable. Villiers has single-handedly won RCB games out of nowhere owing to his finishing skill. His numbers at the death are staggering. He has scored 1254 runs in 67 innings at a strike-rate of 233.1 and combine that with a brilliant average of 39.2. There is little debate about his presence among the pantheon of great IPL finishers.
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#2 MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni is an IPL G.O.A.T (greatest of all time). He has bailed out Chennai Super Kings on plenty of occasions thanks to his finishing ability. His last overs battle with bowlers is a stuff of legend. Dhoni’s love for taking things deep has at times even drawn criticism. But he has immense faith in himself and his ability to close out games from anywhere. Dhoni has scored 2303 runs in 131 innings at a strike rate of 189.1 at the death. He remains not-out on most occasions while finishing off the games and hence has an excellent average of 37.2.
#1 Kieron Pollard
Kieron Pollard is an IPL legend. There are no two ways about it. Pollard has amassed 1487 runs in 100 innings at a strike rate of 185.4 and averages 25.6 during the slog overs. There is no stronger force than Pollard when it comes to batting in the death overs. He has fashioned many heists for the Mumbai Indians while setting up targets and even while chasing them down.
