M.S.Dhoni vs. the world : Who is the best ODI finisher?

The extraordinary exploits of India’s ‘Captain Clobber’ M.S.Dhoni with the bat in ODI cricket of late, has raised the debate about whether he is indeed the best finisher in the games history. In order to decide, whether the claim about the Indian skipper has merit, you firstly have to look at his strengths and weaknesses as a finisher. Then compare him to the other men in the games history, that have such a lofty reputation.

So lets start by looking at M.S.Dhoni first.When looking at Dhoni, his skills make him in essence the perfect man to have at the crease when the game is on the line.

I say this for many fans associate finishing with a players ability to play the huge shots. Which is indeed an essential part of being an expert in the role, but then also is the player being a great runner between the wickets. For which Dhoni is not only one of the quickest between the wickets, but also a great judge of a run.

Thus in essence, he is like death with a thousand cuts for opposition Captains, and bowlers. This because he can hit the ball into the stands as well as anyone. Then with his great running, he has the opposition under constant pressure in the field, and the Captain under duress with the field he has to set. In truth, when Dhoni is in an ODI, there are never enough fielders on the field.

For he is such a master manipulator through dabbing a few singles to make a Captain bring a field up to stop the run flow. Then he will hit it over the fielders head to the boundary or into the grateful crowd. Away from his exceptional play in the role. He has the true mind of a finisher. In the respect that he is ice cool in a pressure situation, and then like a master chess player being able to assess the situation, and figure a way to ultimately checkmate the opposition with his play. Lastly, you cannot comment, and duly compliment Dhoni without bringing his role as captain & wicket keeper into the discussion. That he achieves these monumental efforts with the added burden of what is arguably the toughest, and definitely the most pressurised job in World cricket.

His Main ContendersJaved Miandad (Pakistan)There are only a few better than this great Pakistani when it comes to finishing. He was a complete player in all regards. He was not only as cool as an ice, but one of the best agitators of the opposition, and had such an ability to have a mental hold over them. He could play any shot in the book, and was explosive if needed to be. Like Dhoni, he was such a great judge of a single, and master manipulator of fields. Then when he had to attack, he could hit them many a mile away.

The fans worshipped Imran Khan for the Pakistani World Cup win of 1992. Which is justified, but Javed’s role in the win was just as crucial. His cool as ice innings in the pressure cooker chase against New Zealand in the Semi Final saw a true finisher at his best. This by emphasising his ability to be a master in assessing a situation, and what was needed to get to a victory target. Then also being able to keep his team mates cool in the crisis as well. Which when talking of Pakistan, keeping players from committing hara kari is always an issue.His ability was perfectly shown in this famous or infamous performance (if your an Indian fan) in Sharjah. Which was one of the best finishing efforts in the games history.

Viv Richards (West Indies)In any aspect of the ODI, the man known as the ‘Master Blaster’ was the king. His finishing efforts you could reel off ad nauseum, but two stand out. Firstly his breath taking century in the 1979 World Cup Final. That pretty much finished the game after the 1st completed innings.Then his unbelievable 189, where he shared in a last wicket stand of 102 with Michael Holding for which Richards scored 92 of the runs. He had everything and so much more in regards to such a fear factor that insured a hold over oppositions. Also, such was his tremendous power and audacious shots. That in this age with small grounds and space age bats. I could see Viv hitting 300 in an ODI. That sounds truly ridiculous, but for the fans that held off his every more very believable.Enjoy his 1979 World Cup effort:

Mohammad Azharuddin (India)A supreme artist that could play a shot that made you fall in love with him due to its majestic elegance. He used to play so many cameos for India to either set up a big innings when batting first or in finding a way to win from hopeless positions. Though a traditional player, he had that potential to hit a cricket ball many a mile when he wanted too. He once held the record for the fastest century in ODI cricket with his 62 ball effort against New Zealand in 1988.This century against Pakistan is very highly regarded.

Aravinda de Silva (Sri Lanka)Great player with both power and very good running between wickets. Ice in his veins making a master of any situation. His innings in the chase of the 1996 World Cup, when he came in 2/23 is widely regarded as one of the best innings in ODI cricket. Then in my view for its completeness in how he played, and excelling against a very good Team and attack. The best finishing effort in the games history.

Lance Klusener (South Africa)Pure power, and my word what power the man known as ‘Zulu’ had!!!!!! Plus when you combine it with his ability to innovate. He was an absolute nightmare for oppositions with the finishing cameos he played.Though, he loses marks for his miscommunication’s while running………

Michael Bevan (Australia)Widely regarded as one of the best ODI players ever.

Bevan had the reputation of one of the best finishers through his ability to sum up a situation, and go through the gears. Firstly in a crisis stabilising the situation through his expert accumulating of ones and two’s and then upping the tempo through his hitting of boundaries. Then ultimately into over drive with his 6 hitting ability.One of the key reasons for Australia’s dominance of the ODI game.

Clive Lloyd (West Indies)One of the first true stars of the ODI game. A batsman of immense power, especially square of the wicket. The man know as the ‘Big Cat’ in honour of his breath taking fielding in the covers was also very cat like in his batting. Like a cat he was so stylish, and then when cornered in a situation, he would come out and truly devastate his opposition. Quite literally clawing all the bowlers eyes out with his lethal blows.A true master of finishing cameos, and in a Final or big match- he was truly money in the bank in terms of certain to perform.

Mike Hussey (Australia)Mr Cricket as he is affectionately known has garnered such a lofty reputation in all forms of the game. Though in the ODI arena, he is truly one of the best in any situation. As a finisher, he like all the best combines his expert running between the wickets and easy power to be lethal. Plus as cool as the other side of the pillow.

Yuvraj Singh (India)One of the true heroes of the indian World Cup win. He is such a composed player in the pressure cooker situations, and a perfect man for match defining cameos. Few have his power to all parts of the ground, and that intimidates in a very unique manner.

Inzamam ul Haq (Pakistan)I love Inzamam ul Haq because he is such a man that oozes cool. The stylish batsmen who always looks as though he just woke up. Then with the physique that gave the impression that he had a McDonald’s drive in, in his back yard, that he used regularly.

Despite all this…………….. Boy he could play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! His calm under pressure was as if he didn’t have a pulse, and his mastery of any situation was beyond compare.His innings of 60 off 37 balls in the 1992 World Cup Semi Final was one of the best innings ever, and a true finishing classic

Andrew Symonds (Australia)Almost the perfect ODI batsman.

He had power, great running, such calm under pressure and boy did he intimidate the opposition with his sheer potential to devastate like few others. As a finish, he was near perfect. It is a great pity, that he had a personality better suited for sitting on a boat in the middle of the ocean with a fishing rod in one hand and a beer in the other. Rather than put up with the discipline of International Cricket.