Top 5 Best Finishers of IPL

1. MS Dhoni (3089 @ 163.44):

Image Credits: Getty Images | Robert Cianflone

Arguably one the greatest finishers of all times in the limited over format, there is no competition when it comes to finishing in the IPL. Mahi is far ahead of the rest of the competition, when it comes to death over batting, he has amassed over 3000 runs with a stunning strike rate of over 163 consisting of 211 fours and 172 Sixes. There are innumerable instances where he has single handed carried CSK and RPS over the line. Some of his most memorable knocks include the 2010 knockout game against KXIP where he scored 16 of the last over and took his team to third consecutive semi final with 2 balls to spare. The 2018 game against RCB, chasing a mammoth 208 looked a lost cause until Dhoni took his team over In the southern Derby, and the list keeps on going. We may have seen the last of MS in the Indian Colours, but rest assured we are yet to see more Mahi magic for CSK.

2. KA Pollard (1875 @ 160.12):

Image Credits: Getty Images | Robert Cianflone

The big Trinidadian, came into IPL in 2010 after a secret ballot decided his signing with MI. Coming in with a strong reputation of being a big hitter, he set the tournament on fire with a blistering 13 ball 45, which included 5 sixes. From there on in, his and Mumbai Indians legacy kept growing to greater heights. Mumbai Indians fans believe a match is never over until Pollard is there at the crease, especially in a chasing situation, with his ability to bring a game back to life even from dire situations, like his 31 ball 83 last season against KXIP after MI lost 4 early wickets. Overall, he has amassed 1875 runs in the last 4 overs, at strike rate of over 160 constituting a whopping 125 sixes and 124 boundaries, making him one of the all time greats of IPL and a stall wart of Mumbai Indian’s team.

3. Rohit Sharma (1784 @ 171.05):

Image Credits: Getty Images | Robert Cianflone

One of the most successful players and captain over the IPL history, Rohit Sharma is a clean striker of the cricket ball and knows the art of finishing the game in the death overs. One of the earliest instances of Rohit finishing a game was in 2009, when Deccan Chargers needed 45 of 22 balls, and Sharmaji came in finished off the match with an 13 ball 32. Another great example of Rohit’s finishing ability, came in the match between MI and Deccan Chargers, of course Rohit being on the opposite camp to DC now. With Mi reeling at 29/2 after the power plays, Rohit played a mature knock of 73* of 50 balls, and with 3 runs required of the last ball, hit a boundary to take his team home. His end over proves includes 153 boundaries and a 100 sixers, striking at over 171, he has collected 1784 runs thus far and we can be sure he will add many more to this tally.

4. AB Devilliers (1689 @ 206.23):

Image Credits: Getty Images | AFP

Is there anything this man could not do on the cricket field, may be except carrying RCB to an IPL title, not much we can point to. Aptly named Mr.360, he is a night mare for bowlers as he can covert a good delivery into a boundary ball, and could hit the ball to any part of the ground with great ease. With a mind-boggling strike rate of over 200 in the death overs, he has collected over 1689 runs in this period with 121 sixers and 124 fours. Few of his best finishing displays include 105* of 54 balls versus CSK in 2009, 133* of 59 balls against MI in 2015 and 129* off 52 balls in 2016 against the Gujrat Lions. And he would be hoping that a shift to UAE will end his trophy jinx and get that much awaited IPL trophy to himself and his franchise.

5. Virat Kohli (1430 @ 175.89):

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Kohli is without a doubt one of the best batsmen of the current generation if not The Best. The RCB skipper has been in sublime form in IPL over the years and is the all-time leading scorer in IPL history. The fact that he features in the top-5 best finishers, with him always batting in the top 3, is a true testament to his achievements. With over 36 half centuries and 5 centuries, 4 of them coming in that incredible 2016 season, the only thing missing is the silverware for RCB. We all know how good Virat is at setting up the chases in limited over games, and in the IPL he has scored over 1400 runs in the death overs at a commanding strike rate of over 175 with 84 sixes and 108 boundaries. He would be hoping that he and AB along with rest of the team could lay their hands on that IPL trophy that has eluded them over the years in the UAE.

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About Author:

Srikanth N is an MBA graduate from IIM Visakhapatnam .He is a die hard fan of Formula 1, Cricket and other motor sports.Big Lewis fan, and waiting to see him surpass Schumacher’s records.He also likes to analyse and critique F1 and F2 race weekends.