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5 Best finishers in T20I cricket history

Finishing the innings is an art in the limited-overs formats. The fans can say that the run rate is not a focal point in Test cricket. However, in 50-overs and 20-overs matches, the batsmen need to place the innings well. Even if there is an excellent start by the top-order batsmen, the total will not be big if the finishers fail.

Generally, there are specialist batsmen in the middle-order, who have the finishing responsibilities. Finishing the innings means that the batsmen need to hit some big shots in the final overs and take the team’s total to the next level. Even the top-order batsmen can play this role. The fans have seen how Rohit Sharma settles down in the 50-overs format before blowing away the opposition with his big shots. This listicle features the top five finishers in T20I cricket history.

5. Glenn Maxwell – Australia

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is one of the most sought after players in T20 leagues because of his big-hitting abilities. The right-handed batsman can slam maximums all over the park. Irrespective of whether a fast bowler or a spinner is bowling, Maxwell can destroy the opposition bowling attack. He bats a bit lower down the order for Australia in T20Is. It is because his primary goal is to finish the innings.

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If the Aussies do not lose early wickets, Maxwell even comes up to bat higher. Talking about his numbers in T20I cricket, Glenn has scored 1687 runs in 60 innings at a strike rate of 157.95. Only two other batsmen have a better strike rate than him in T20Is. The fact that Maxwell has got out for a duck only once in T20Is shows why he is so reliable. He had played a career-defining knock against India in Bengaluru.

4. Eoin Morgan – England

England’s limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan is a clean hitter of the ball. Morgan captained the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2020. The southpaw played international cricket for Ireland before joining England. Like Maxwell, Morgan bats lower down the order. However, he often promotes himself to the top.

Morgan has been playing T20I cricket for 12 years now. The English skipper has scored 2278 runs at a strike rate of 138.98. Although Eoin has never scored a T20I hundred, he has 14 fifties to his name. Besides, Morgan has chipped in with some vital cameos in the slog overs. The left-handed batsman has become a big name in white-ball cricket finishers owing to his hitting abilities.

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3. Andre Russell – West Indies

Andre Russell does not play much for West Indies. But when he dons the Maroon jersey, the opposition comes under trouble. Russell is one of the few batsmen with a 150+ strike rate in T20 internationals. The all-rounder has proven himself as match-winner multiple times. His bowling skills make him a valuable commodity in the game’s shortest format.

Talking about his T20I career for the West Indies, Russell has aggregated 540 runs in 41 innings. He does not have a half-century to his name. Still, his 14 not outs highlight that he stays till the end and contributes big for his team. His innings usually prove to be the difference between the two teams. Russell has a strike rate of 200 at number five in T20Is which is probably the highest among the finishers.

2. Virat Kohli – India

Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli has earned the nickname of ‘Chase Master’ with his finishing skills. Generally, if Kohli is chasing a total, he wins the game for his team. His inning against Australia in the T20 World Cup 2016 is a classic example of it. Kohli performs better in the second innings than in the first innings. He is the highest run-scorer in T20I cricket history.

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The Indian skipper has 2,928 runs to his name. In the recently-played T20I series against Australia, Kohli showed how he can turn the game in his team’s favour with a quick cameo also. Kohli’s average of 50.48 shows that he does not lose his wicket easily. In 79 innings, Virat remained unbeaten 21 times. This is an extraordinary figure given that he usually bats in the Top 3.

1. Hardik Pandya – India

Another Indian name featuring on this list is the all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Unfortunately, Pandya has stopped bowling now. Still, he won Man of the Series vs. Australia in the T20I series. This achievement shows his finishing skills. Hardik won a crucial game for the team with his finishing skills.

Even if 15 runs are required of the last six, Hardik can win it. Pandya is a much more matured player now. He has improved in ODI cricket also. Hardik has a strike rate of 149.23 in T20Is. The Mumbai Indians star would love to take it past 150.

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Vinay

Vinay Chhabria is a cricket and WWE enthusiast who supports Roman Reigns and Gujarat Titans. He has been following cricket for the last 15 years and WWE since 2016.

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