One of the key roles in cricket, which is demanding and celebrated, is a finisher. A finisher thrives under pressure, steering the team to victory in heart-stopping moments. In order to successfully finish a game, a player must stay composed in pulse-ranging situations, with the whole team and the world counting on him to make a miracle. 

But there is always a question that remains: “Who is the best finisher in cricket?” Is it the former India captain MS Dhoni or Australian legend Michael Bevan, or the explosive South African AB de Villiers? 

In this article, we explore some of cricket’s greatest finishers.

Who Is The Best Finisher In Cricket?

MS Dhoni

Former India captain MS Dhoni is undeniably one of the greatest finishers in the world. The legendary wicketkeeper-batter has showcased his finishing skills several times and helped India to achieve successful run chases over the last decade. One of his phenomenal performances came in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup final against Sri Lanka at Wankhede, when he struck a match-winning maximum. Notably, it marked India’s second World Cup triumph after a 28-year wait. 

Michael Bevan

Former Australian batter Michael Bevan is considered one of the finest finishers. In his 10-year storied career, he played only Tests and ODIs, and his remarkable performances were mainly in the 50-over format. One of Bevan’s memorable performances came during the 1995-96 World Series match against the West Indies. Australia struggled at 38 for 6, and Bevan rescued the team with an unbeaten 78, including a boundary, guiding the side to a remarkable victory. 

Sir Vivian Richards 

West Indies legend Sir Vivian Richards is regarded as one of the first superstars in the history of the sport. The former Antiguan cricketer has scored over 15,000 runs at an average of 47 and a strike rate of 90.20 0during is glorious 18-year-long international career. He was good with batting, bowling, and finishing his team’s innings in style. 

AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers, a former South African captain, is often regarded as the world’s best finisher in cricket history. Renowned as Mr. 360, he has demonstrated his skills and consistency in batting, wicket-keeping, and fielding. During his 14-year-long glorious career, he has accumulated over 20,000 runs across all formats. He had achieved a record of the fastest ODI century, achieving it in 31 deliveries against the West Indies in 2015. In ODI, he achieved nearly 10,000 runs at a batting average of 53.50.

Lance Klusener

Lance Klusener is one of South Africa’s match-winners who had the ability to remain composed in pressure situations. He was considered as one of the Proteas’ premier all-rounders who had power-hitting skills. One of his notable performances came during the 1999 World Cup, where he emerged as Man of the Tournament, accumulating 250 runs and picking up 17 wickets. In addition, one of his best finishes came during a 1999 ODI against New Zealand, where he struck a six in the final delivery. Meanwhile, in the following year, he scored a 42-ball 598 runs, including crucial boundaries to help his side win the game.

Michael Hussey

Former Australian cricketer Michael Hussey is unarguably one of the best finishers of the decade of 2000s. Nicknamed ‘Mr Cricket,’ Hussey has rescued his team and become a game changer in various pressure situations.  

Jos Buttler

England’s white-ball captain, Jos Buttler, is also regarded as one of the best finishers in the history of cricket. Buttler, who made his international debut in 2011, never failed to demonstrate his batting skills across all formats of the game. He has rescued England in various matches, right from as an opener and a finisher. His remarkable achievements have occurred mainly in ODIs. He has so far scored over 5000 runs at an average of 39.54 and a strike rate of 117.11.

David Miller

Over the past few years, David Miller has emerged as a key pillar in South Africa’s middle order. The southpaw has the ability to anchor the innings and deliver powerful finishes in nail-biting situations. Notably, he repeated, to showcase his prowess in finishing for Proteas, and boasts an interesting strike rate of 158.64 in death overs. 

Ravindra Jadeja 

Ravindra Jadeja is one of India’s premier all-rounders. He has often been the Men in Blue’s savior during challenging situations, recovering his side from early setbacks. Generally playing at the seventh or eighth position, he has delivered memorable performances on various occasions. One of his most remarkable innings was during the 2019 Cricket World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, where he amassed 77 off 59 deliveries when India were reeling at 71 for 5. He gave the entire nation a glimmer of hope, but India lost that match.

10. Glenn Maxwell 

One of Australia’s finest all-rounders, Glenn Maxwell, has established himself as one of the best finishers in T20Is. Meanwhile, he has demonstrated his finishing skills in the ODI as well. One of his notable finishes came during the 2023 Cricket World Cup match against Afghanistan, where he achieved a remarkable double century.  

11. Shahid Afridi

Shahid Afridi, a former Pakistan captain, was renowned for his aggressive batting during his playing career. He had often led his side to victory in crucial moments. His outstanding finish came during the 2014 Asia Cup match against arch-rivals India. He scored an unbeaten 34 off just 18 deliveries, guiding his team to a thrilling one-wicket victory.

Conclusion

The debate about who is the best finisher in cricket continues to spark discussion among cricket enthusiasts and experts alike. MS Dhoni, who is often regarded as ‘Captain cool’ for his calm demeanor, is considered one of the greatest finishers the world has ever produced. Apart from the Indian legend, Michael Bevan and AB de Villiers are also considered the best finishers, given their consistency and innovative style of play under pressure. In conclusion, whether a former cricketer or an emerging talents, finishers will always be the heroes of the game.