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.
#5 Hardik Pandya
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.