IPL 2019: Finishers who can turn out to be match-winners for their team
In T20 cricket, the finisher is as important, if not more important, than the opener. The batsman in finishing role has to be on the top of his game from ball one. He has to confront the best bowlers and ensure that the required run rate is never out of control. Few of the IPL franchises have signed up big names this season in a bid to provide a strong finish while the remaining teams have backed their regular finishers. Let’s have a look at the top finishers of each IPL team.
Rajasthan Royals:
Inaugural winners Rajasthan Royals have typically been a top-heavy side. In IPL 2018, off spinner Krishnappa Gowtham played the role of a finisher to perfection. His magnum opus was the knock of 11-ball 33 against Mumbai Indians which helped RR clinch the win by three wickets. Apart from Gowtham, Ben Stokes and Ashton Turner can also be considered as the death-over options. Turner enjoyed an impressive outing as a finisher in the recently concluded Big Bash league.
T20 batting strike rates: Krishnappa Gowtham (168.99), Ashton Turner (138.72), Ben Stokes (135.75)
Sunrisers Hyderabad:
The Orange army relies heavily on its bowlers to win the matches for them, but the batting contributions cannot be ignored. The top-order consisting of David Warner, Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson has carried the bulk of the load while leaving a little for the finishers. In 2018, SRH persisted with Yusuf Pathan and Deepak Hooda but both failed to return with impressive numbers. This year, the Hyderabad franchise can experiment with Rashid Khan as a finisher. His blistering knock of 34*(10) against KKR indicated his batting capability.
T20 batting strike rates: Rashid Khan (152.12), Yusuf Pathan (140.84), Deepak Hooda (135.18)
Kings XI Punjab:
KXIP are known to start in the top gear but fade away as the tournament progresses. Their most successful season in 2014 coincided with the best IPL performance of Miller-Maxwell. David Miller has remained the lone finisher for the side over the years. This year, they have bought Nicholas Pooran. The 23-year old Trinidadian batsman is known for smashing monstrous sixes. KXIP will rely on Pooran to provide the late impetus. Sarfaraz Khan is another name that can be in the mix for the finisher’s role.
T20 batting strike rates: Nicholas Pooran (144.91), Sarfaraz Khan (144.26), David Miller (139.12)
Delhi Capitals:
Delhi team needed no finisher in the IPL 2018 as Rishabh Pant enjoyed a golden run of smashing bowlers to all corners. After changing the team name, Delhi revamped their squad as well. They have added Colin Ingram and Sherfane Rutherford to their squad this year. DC also acquired the services of Axar Patel who is a capable hitter in the end overs. Chris Morris is another splendid finisher. The South African all-rounder has two fifties in his IPL career.
T20 Batting strike rates: Chris Morris (154.8), Colin Ingram (139. 87), Axar Patel (130.16)
Royal Challengers Bangalore:
With Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in the batting lineup, RCB did not require any finisher to increase their batting strength. Last year, the Bengaluru IPL side added Colin de Grandhomme and Corey Anderson to strengthen their batting depth. They improved their stocks this year with the addition of Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer and Shivam Dube. Hetmyer has been explosive in international cricket for Windies and can launch the ball regularly into the stands. Shivam Dube is another big-hitter who will be the surprise package this year.
T20 batting strike rates: Colin de Grandhomme (166.78), Shivam Dube (147.65), Shimron Hetmyer (142.42), Marcus Stoinis (123.89)
Chennai Super Kings:
The most successful team in the IPL, Chennai Super Kings, won their third IPL trophy in 2018. The pillar of their triumph was MS Dhoni. Captain Cool scored 455 runs in the victorious campaign at a strike rate of 150. Along with him, CSK had two capable finishers in Kedar Jadhav and Dwayne Bravo. Both raised their hands when the team needed the most and clinched thrilling victories. All three will once again fulfill the finishing role for Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming season.
T20 batting strike rates: MS Dhoni (135.68), Dwayne Bravo (127.30), Kedar Jadhav (136.28)
Mumbai Indians:
Mumbai Indians became the first team to clinch the IPL trophy three times. In Rohit Sharma’s leadership, the team has retained its core and has been successful with its set of players. The all-round army of Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya and Hardik Pandya is exceptional in the death overs and can destroy any bowling attack. These three have churned out runs regularly for Mumbai Indians and will be the key players once again in the upcoming edition.
T20 batting strike rates: Kieron Pollard (150.50), Krunal Pandya (146.46), Hardik Pandya (132.26)
Kolkata Knight Riders:
Kolkata team has tremendous firepower not only at the top but also at the end. The side opens with Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine. Both bat in an unorthodox way and are extremely difficult to contain. For the end overs, KKR has Dinesh Karthik and Andre Russell. While the former operates with surgical touches, the latter hammers bowling lineups with his exceptional power. This year, KKR has added another big-hitting all-rounder to their squad in the form of Carlos Brathwaite. Altogether the Knight Riders have assembled a formidable power-hitting unit.
T20 batting strike rates: Andre Russell (167.40), Carlos Brathwaite (146), Dinesh Karthik (137.72)
