5 finishers of IPL 2018

IPL 2018 is just a week away and the preparations of all teams have reached the final stages. While all the aspects of cricket are important for a good IPL side, a good batting line-up can give a team an extra edge over its rival. It is extremely important for a successful IPL team to have a balanced batting side.

Though it is important to have a stable top and middle order, it is highly desirable to have good finishers who can score quick runs at the end of the innings. Hitting big shots is not an easy task, as bowlers now use variations bowling at the death.

Thus, having batsmen who can handle the pressure of the final overs and can finish matches for the team, becomes critical for a team's success. We will look at 5 such players who can score quick runs at the end of innings.

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#5 Chris Morris

Morris was incredible for the Daredevils last season

Chris Morris is one of the most underrated batsmen in IPL. The South African all-rounder has an excellent IPL record and has shown the ability to clear the boundary with ease.

In the 48 matches that Morris has played in IPL so far, he has scored 439 runs at an average of 36.58. But the staggering part of his IPL record is his high strike rate of 165.66. Morris scored some crucial runs at the back of the innings playing for Delhi Daredevils last season.

In the game against Rising Pune Supergiants, Morris smashed 38 runs off just 9 balls, while in the game against Gujarat Lions, he struck the third fastest IPL fifty and made unbeaten 82 runs off 32 balls. Therefore, it came as no surprise that Morris was retained by the franchise this season and he will look to continue his purple patch.

#4 Hardik Pandya

No boundary is big enough for Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya came into the limelight thanks to a few stunning innings he played for Mumbai Indians. Pandya became an overnight star after his debut IPL season and hasn't looked back since. The all-rounder was selected into the national side and continued playing his aggressive style of cricket for India.

Pandya was crucial in Mumbai Indians' title victories in 2015 and 2017, played crucial knocks in pressure situations. In his debut IPL season, in a must-win game for Mumbai Indians against CSK, Pandya showed no signs of nerve as he struck 25 runs off Pawan Negi's over.

Pandya has played many such innings for MI and his capability to hit long sixes at will makes him one of the most dangerous batsmen of this year's IPL.

#3 MS Dhoni

Dhoni sending one out of the park

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one of the greatest IPL batsmen of all time. Dhoni has proved his prowess as a finisher over the years, turning the tide in his team's favour on many occasions. He has mastered the art of taking his team over the line with his vast experience and mental strength.

Dhoni has all the shots in his armor and can score runs in all parts of the ground. The former Indian captain can win matches for the team as he did for Rising Pune Supergiant against Kings XI Punjab in 2016. RPS needed 23 runs off the last over when Dhoni took charge and plundered 23 runs off the last Axar Patel over.

Even though he isn't the force that he was in his initial playing years, the opposition cannot afford to breathe a sigh of relief until he is sent back to the dressing room, as he can still destroy any bowling attack with his power hitting.

#2 Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes has counterattacked the spinners brilliantly by batting aggressively against them

Ben Stokes became the most expensive player at the auction when Rajasthan Royals bought him for a jaw-dropping 12.5 crores. However, a high bid for Stokes was expected as he won the man of the tournament in his debut season, last year.

Stokes played some eye-catching innings for Rising Pune Supergiant last year and gave a good account of himself as a destructive batsman by hitting some lusty blows in the death overs. One aspect that makes Stokes more dangerous is his ability to hit both spinners as well as seamers.

In a game against Gujarat Lions last year, Stokes remained on the crease till the end as he struck his maiden century in IPL and helped his team to register an improbable win. With Smith axed from IPL, Stokes' performance will be more crucial for Rajasthan Royals' chances in the tournament.

#1 Andre Russell

Russell can destroy any bowling attack with his power hitting

Andre Russell will make a comeback in IPL after missing the last edition due to the doping scandal. KKR missed his services last year and they couldn't reach the finals. Russell is currently one of the most explosive batsmen in the world and when he is in full flow, no boundary is big enough for him to clear.

The big Jamaican has an exceptional strike rate of 173.41 and his brute strength can help KKR get vital runs at the back of the innings. In his many match-winning innings that he has played for KKR, the one he played against KXIP in 2015 is the most memorable. KKR needed a target of 155 but were in a spot of bother as they were 60 for 5 after 8 overs.

Russell came to the crease and changed the complexion of the game as struck an unbeaten 66 off 36 balls and won the game for the Knight Riders. Russell is certainly one of those batsmen that the opposition will want to get rid of early, because if he gets set then he can make a mockery of any bowling-attack with his fierce batting.