As a passionate cricket fan, the excitement grows significantly when a match or innings concludes with a thrilling performance from the batters. Those final overs, where each ball counts, often capture the real excitement of the game.
Over the years, cricket has seen some outstanding players who excelled at finishing matches. These batters remained composed under pressure, made wise choices, and came through when their teams needed them most.
This article explores the batters known as the Greatest Finishers in cricket, highlighting what made them unique and why their ability to finish games has had a lasting effect on the game.
Greatest Finishers in Cricket – Top 9 List
Players like MS Dhoni, AB de Villiers, Kieron Pollard, and Hardik Pandya changed the way we think about batting under pressure. They approached the game with a calm mindset, impressive power-hitting, and strong awareness of the match situation.
Their presence at the crease often transformed close chases into memorable wins, making them real game-changers in the final overs.
Below are the top 9 greatest finishers in cricket we have seen.
| Player | Country | Test Highest Score | ODI Highest Score | T20I Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS Dhoni | India | 224 | 183* | 56 |
| Michael Beven | Australia | 91* | 108* | – |
| AB de Villiers | South Africa | 278* | 176 | 79* |
| Michael Hussey | Australia | 195 | 109* | 60* |
| Jos Buttler | England | 152 | 162* | 101* |
| Vivian Richards | West Indies | 291 | 189 | – |
| Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 156 | 124 | 54* |
| Hardik Pandya | India | 108 | 92* | 71* |
| Kieron Pollard | West Indies | – | 119 | 75* |
Lets take a detailed look at the greatest finishers in cricket.
1. MS Dhoni (India)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| Test Highest Score | 224 |
| ODI Highest Score | 183* |
| T20I Highest Score | 56 |
MS Dhoni earned the title of the greatest finisher due to his remarkable calmness under pressure and keen game awareness. He often took matches into the later stages, trusted his skills, and completed chases by taking calculated risks instead of panicking.
A prime example of this was in 2005 against Sri Lanka in an ODI, when he scored 183* in Jaipur, leading India to a famous victory. Across formats, Dhoni’s finishing innings in close games were key to India’s success in limited-overs cricket.
2. Michael Bevan (Australia)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Test Highest Score | 91* |
| ODI Highest Score | 108* |
| T20I Highest Score | NA |
Michael Bevan perfected the skill of finishing by focusing on control instead of power. He concentrated on staying unbeaten, managing his strike wisely, and keeping the required run rate in check.
Bevan’s importance lay in his reliability during tight chases. He formed partnerships with lower-order batters and always found a way to succeed, which made him one of the most dependable finishers Australia has ever seen.
3. AB de Villiers (South Africa)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Country | South Africa |
| Test Highest Score | 278* |
| ODI Highest Score | 176 |
| T20I Highest Score | 79* |
AB de Villiers ended games with his creativity and unpredictability. His talent for unconventional shots kept bowlers on their toes, especially during tense moments.
Different from traditional finishers, de Villiers could change his approach instantly. Whether he was building an innings or accelerating quickly, his flexibility helped him take control in the final overs and finish matches in style. He also holds the record for the fastest century in ODI cricket, showing how quickly he could turn a game around when it mattered most.
4. Michael Hussey (Australia)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Test Highest Score | 195 |
| ODI Highest Score | 109* |
| T20I Highest Score | 60* |
Michael Hussey was a finisher known for stability and trust. He provided balance during innings, making sure Australia stayed in control during the last part of a chase.
Hussey seldom sought glory. Instead, he concentrated on timing, rotating the strike, and building partnerships. His calm demeanor and experience made him a reliable finisher in high-pressure situations.
5. Jos Buttler (England)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Country | England |
| Test Highest Score | 152 |
| ODI Highest Score | 162* |
| T20I Highest Score | 101* |
Jos Buttler embodies the aggressive modern finisher. His confidence to attack from the beginning of the death overs often turns tough chases into easy wins.
What makes Buttler unique is his fearlessness. He trusts his power-hitting ability and puts bowlers under direct pressure, making captains reconsider their plans for the death overs.
6. Vivian Richards (West Indies)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Country | West Indies |
| Test Highest Score | 291 |
| ODI Highest Score | 189 |
| T20I Highest Score | NA |
Vivian Richards approached finishing with strength and intimidation. He focused on overpowering opponents rather than playing defensively, creating a style of aggressive batting under pressure.
In the 1980s, he earned the title King of Cricket. Richards’ confidence and attacking mindset enabled him to dictate matches in the final overs. His bold approach motivated future players and significantly influenced the development of finishing roles in limited-overs cricket.
7. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Country | Pakistan |
| Test Highest Score | 156 |
| ODI Highest Score | 124 |
| T20I Highest Score | 54* |
Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi ended matches with pure aggression. He thrived on risk and momentum. He could change a game in just a few deliveries.
Afridi’s unpredictability was his greatest strength. While he was not always consistent, his knack for hitting boundaries under pressure made him one of the most dangerous finishers of his era.
8. Hardik Pandya (India)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| Test Highest Score | 108 |
| ODI Highest Score | 92* |
| T20I Highest Score | 71* |
Hardik Pandya’s finishing style combines raw power with confidence. This allows him to dominate bowlers in the final overs while staying aware of the match situation. His ability to clear boundaries makes him a constant threat at the end of the game.
Over time, Pandya has developed maturity in his game and is now seen as one of the best white-ball players in modern cricket. His skill in knowing when to attack and when to stabilize has made him a reliable and effective finisher.
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9. Kieron Pollard (West Indies)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Country | West Indies |
| Test Highest Score | NA |
| ODI Highest Score | 119 |
| T20I Highest Score | 75* |
Kieron Pollard represented the traditional West Indian style of finishing. He mixed calmness with raw power. He often began his innings quietly, observing the bowlers and the match situation before stepping up his game.
Once settled, Pollard became aggressive in the final overs. His knack for hitting the ball out of the park put a lot of pressure on bowlers. A few strong hits were usually enough to turn tight matches in his team’s favor.
All these players rose to the occasion for their teams when it really counted. They delivered match-winning performances with the bat many times. Their skill to stay calm under pressure, understand the game, and secure wins in close matches earned them the title of the greatest finishers in cricket history.
