IPL 2018: Each franchise's designated finisher

In the gung-ho, slam-bang format of cricket that is T20, finishing is extremely critical. The format's limited number of overs makes it extremely dynamic and the game can change over its head in the blink of an eye.

This makes the role of a finisher crucial in the shortest format of the game. The last few overs more often than not define the course of the game. The two most successful teams in the IPL so far, the Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings, have had clinical finishers in their teams.

Let us take a look at the likely designated finisher for each team in IPL 2018:

Chennai Super Kings - Mahendra Singh Dhoni

If you are surprised seeing his name on this list, you haven't watched enough of the Indian Premier League. MS Dhoni has played the finisher's role for the Chennai Super Kings since its inception and he has done justice to it to say the very least.

Time and again, Dhoni has shown why he is the one of the, if not the best finisher out there. He has managed to win games for his team from crunch situations. Apart from his captaincy, his finishing skills have been crucial in the Super Kings' success over the years. In his 159 games in the Indian Premier League, he has amassed 3561 and has remained not out on 49 occasions.

The Super Kings will be hoping that Dhoni continues what he has done for them in the past, so as to pick up things from where they left off two years back.

Delhi Daredevils - Chris Morris

Morris will be hoping to repay the Delhi Daredevils for showing their faith in him

Chris Morris is one of the best T20 all-rounders there is today. He was the Delhi Daredevils' standout performer last year. With the ball, he has taken 53 wickets in his IPL career spanning 48 matches. His death bowling and ability to take critical wickets have proven to be very effective over the years.

With the bat, the Daredevils will be counting on Morris to take them to the finish line when required. His strike rate in the IPL has been an incredible 165.66. Only Andre Russell has a better strike rate in the history of the IPL. His innings of 82 runs in 32 balls against the Gujarat Lions shows what he is capable of. The Delhi Daredevils retained Chris Morris for INR 11 crore and will be relying on him to show up for them this year.

Kings XI Punjab - David Miller

David Miller has been part of some incredible run chases in the past

David Miller is one of the Kings XI Punjab's most experienced players and has even captained them in the past. He was instrumental in their standout 2014 season wherein they finished runners-up. Miller is a handy batsman to have in run chases, as he has demonstrated over the years.

Though he has fallen out of flavour in the last couple of seasons, Miller's experience and talents cannot be ignored. The fact that the Kings XI Punjab spent INR 3 crore despite his poor showing in the last two seasons show what the South African means to them. His innings of 101 in just 38 balls is labelled as the IPL's greatest innings by many owing to the fact that it was in a difficult scenario in a steep run chase.

The Kings XI Punjab will be hoping that the Miller of the past shows up again this year and consolidates their middle order effectively.

Kolkata Knight Riders - Andre Russell

Andre Russell will be looking to come back strongly after missing last season due to a ban

Andre Russell is one of the deadliest all-rounders the shortest format of the game has witnessed. With both ball and bat, the West Indian can cause major damage. He was ruthless in the 2015 season wherein he was adjudged the MVP of the season. In 13 games, he managed to bag 14 scalps. His ability to plunder bowling attacks was on display in all its glory as he amassed 326 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 192.89.

In the following season, he got 15 wickets in just 12 games. He managed to score 188 runs, although this number was due to the fact that he didn't get too many opportunities to bat. His strike rate of 164.91 was again off the charts.In fact, his career strike rate of 173.41 is the highest in IPL history. He then, unfortunately, missed the 2017 season due to a ban.

His ability to finish games off and send balls into the stands with ease can dwindle any bowling opposition. The Knight Riders will be hoping that he picks up from where he left off in 2016.

Mumbai Indians - Kieron Pollard

Kieron Pollard has been instrumental in Mumbai's success over the years

Nothing much needs to be said about the finishing abilities of the big man from the West Indies. He has played eight seasons with the Mumbai Indians and has time and again shown how valuable he is. He played a key role in all of their title roles as well. Kieron Pollard bossed many run chases, most famously with another Mumbai Indians veteran, Ambati Rayudu.

Though Rayudu is no longer a part of the Mumbai franchise, Pollard was retained for INR 5.4 crore. This amount is a steal considering the value Pollard brings to the team. He is a very mature cricketer who can bat ideally as per the situation. He is known for his ability to effortlessly smash the ball all over the park.

However, his value lies in the fact that he can play steadily and sensibly too if required. This makes him the ideal finisher, as he can help guide the Mumbai Indians to victory from any sort of situation.

Rajasthan Royals - Jos Buttler

Rajasthan Royals bought the dangerous Jos Buttler for INR 4.4 crore

Apart from Jos Buttler, the Rajasthan Royals have excellent openers to choose from, including the in-form D'arcy Short, last season's new found hero Rahul Tripathi, the sensational wicketkeeper-batsman from Kerala - Sanju Samson and last but certainly not the least, Ajinkya Rahane. With these terrific options available, the Royals are likely to employ Buttler at a position he is more comfortable with the lower middle order.

Buttler plays lower down the order for the England side, and he has done marvellously in that position. He is a talented batsman who can play shots in all directions. He has a lot of tricks up his sleeve and his batting style is tailor-made for the shortest format of the game. He strikes at an incredible rate and can turn games around in no time. The Royals will be counting on him to play the finisher role for them.

Royal Challengers Bangalore - Colin de Grandhomme

RCB will be hoping Colin de Grandhomme is the solution to their persistent middle order crisis

Colin de Grandhomme doesn't have much IPL experience. However, at the international level, he has been performing really well with the bat for New Zealand. He is a handy player with both ball and bat. The Royal Challengers Bangalore have unpleasant memories of De Grandhomme with the ball. He had figures of 1.4-0-4-3 with the Knight Riders as RCB slumped to the lowest ever total in IPL history, 49.

With the bat, De Grandhomme can pack a punch lower down the order. The Royal Challengers Bangalore have always had trouble with their lower middle order and will be hoping that De Grandhomme can turn things around for them this season.

Sunrisers Hyderabad - Deepak Hooda

Deepak Hooda will look to live up to his INR 3.6 crore price tag

Deepak Hooda is an exciting prospect, with the added bonus of having been around in the IPL for three seasons now. He debuted for the Rajasthan Royals back in 2015, where he shone in the middle-order with cameos, racking up 151 runs in 14 games at an impressive strike rate of 158.94.

In just his second ever IPL match, he smashed 54 of 25 balls and bowled 0 for 20 in four overs. Along with his explosiveness with the bat, Hooda is known for his accuracy with the ball and his agility in the field.

His performance saw him bag a whopping INR 4.2 crore from the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2016 auction. He featured in every single game for the 'Biryani Army' en route the IPL title. Owing to a consistent opening partnership for the Sunrisers in the form of Warner and Dhawan, Hooda didn't get many chances to express himself with the bat. However, he did finish games off for them on many occasions.