IPL 2018: Top 5 finishers who can decimate the opposition in slog overs

When T20I cricket first began in 2005, a score of 150 or thereabouts was considered par. Now, a little more than a decade later, even 200 does not guarantee you a win by any means. So, what has led to this alteration?

While bigger bats, unconventional shots and shortened fields have had a role to play, the major reason is the evolution of the batsmen. They have become fitter, stronger and most importantly smarter. After completing its first leg, the IPL, this time around, would be much bigger and better and so would be the scores.

The cricketers who would contribute most handsomely to these humongous totals would be the finishers. So, here is a list of top five finishers who can decimate the opposition in the slog overs in this year’s IPL.

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#5 Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya is seen as a successor to MS Dhoni in Indian cricket in terms of a finisher

Hardik Pandya made his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2015 when his flamboyance made him an instant hit among the fans. In his very first game, Pandya announced his arrival by hitting a six off just the second ball he faced.

Despite a bleak IPL season in 2016, the selectors saw a spark in him as he made his ODI debut for India in October 2016. Pandya hasn’t looked back ever since and can make a mockery of the opposition bowling attack with his clean striking – especially against the spinners.

Seen as a successor to MS Dhoni in Indian cricket in terms of a finisher, Pandya ticks all the boxes required for big hitting. He has power, hitting technique and most importantly the attitude to hit the very first ball (that he faces) out of the ground.

#4 Chris Morris

Chris Morris can do a lot of damage with the bat in the slog overs

Chris Morris had been part of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals before finally settling in the Delhi Daredevils (DD) camp. It was in DD that Morris made a real name for himself.

The South African was always known as someone with the potential to clock some serious pace but his explosive batting credentials were only established after his unbeaten 82-run knock in the 2016 edition of the league. The spectacle came against Gujarat Lions a couple of years back which proved to be a watershed moment in his IPL batting career.

However, many feel that Morris has been coming in a bit too late in the batting order due to which he has not been able to deliver to his full potential. If there is a case for him to be promoted, he can really prove handy with some quick-fire runs.

DD’s new Captain Gautam Gambhir also recently acknowledged Morris’s hitting abilities as he compared him with former teammate Andre Russell. "Morris is a quality all-rounder and a better and much quicker bowler than Russell…. But with Morris, I felt he has batted lower than he should have. He hasn’t had enough opportunity," said the left-hander.

#3 Suresh Raina

Rain scored fluently in IPL 2017 at an average in excess of 40 and a strike rate close to 145

Suresh Raina is one name which does not warrant any introduction. Being the highest all-time scorer of the IPL, he has been a consistent performer for Chennai Super Kings over the years and has scored most of his runs for the franchise.

Some of his performances may have gone under the radar but even in IPL 2017, he scored fluently at an average in excess of 40 and a strike rate close to 145. His return to the Indian T20I side must have imparted him some newfound confidence.

Raina would be eager to showcase some big hitting in order to push for a spot in the national ODI side.

#2 Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes can hit the ball as hard as anybody else

Being the most expensive IPL pick for two consecutive years, Ben Stokes, like the previous year, enters the IPL with a bagful of expectations. Having recently returned to international cricket after affray charges, Stokes would be raring to go and prove his mettle all over again.

On his day, the England all-rounder can hit the ball as hard as anybody else. A testament to this fact is his unbeaten innings of 103 in IPL 2017 which came at a strike rate of more than 160.

Stokes smashed a flurry of boundaries and took Rising Pune Supergiant to victory while completely blasting the Gujarat Lions’ bowling attack.

#1 MS Dhoni

MSD may be a little slow to start off but once he gets going, he can still decimate any bowling attack

Arguably, one of the greatest finishers that the game has ever seen, the 36-year-old MS Dhoni may not be the same batsman that he used to be ten years ago but he still remains the first-choice finisher for many.

Recently, the veteran keeper showed glimpses of his classic best when he raced to his second T20I fifty in the 2nd T20 against South Africa at a strike rate in excess of 185.

Talking of the recent IPL seasons, one can never forget the way MSD clobbered the hapless Axar Patel for 24 runs in the last over to take his side home. If ever such a situation arises again, one has every right to place the bet on Dhoni.

The former Captain may be a little slow to start off but once he gets going, he can still decimate even the best bowling attacks of the world.