Not many cricketing jobs demand responsibility or pressure more than a job of a Best Finisher in Cricket does. While there perhaps might never be anything more taxing, as a batting assignment could be, in the cricketing world, a select few get to make it happen, end a match; or perhaps just point their teams in the direction away from crucial situations and sometimes even towards victory, thanks to setting the right scores well before death overs. The art of finishing is not only technical brilliance but also mental strength, tactical awareness, and the ability to perform under extreme pressure. Cricket history has witnessed several Best Finisher in Cricket who have done well in this specialized role, each bringing their style and approach to this demanding position. Who Is the Best Finisher in Cricket? MS Dhoni Image Source : Getty Images The mention of Best Finisher in Cricket would not be complete without the name of MS Dhoni. It was his finishing which makes him special while former Indian captain was earning the title 'Captain Cool' by remaining ice-cool during pressure situations. Dhoni's record for unbeaten 47 times while chasing in successful run chases speaks volumes of how he was able to win games for his team time and again. His most iconic moment was when he led India to victory with his unbeaten 91 in the 2011 World Cup final. The helicopter shot, which became his specialty and then a term for death overs batting, showed that under pressure, he was quite innovative. What made Dhoni stand out, though, was his calculated approach toward chase construction-start slow, stay composed, and let loose controlled aggression in the last overs. Also Read | Who Smashed the Fastest Double Centuries in ODI Cricket? Michael Bevan Image Source : ESPN Before Dhoni redefined the role, Michael Bevan had already set the gold standard for Best Finisher in Cricket. The Australian left-hander's methodical approach to run chases earned him the nickname "The Finisher." His ODI average of 53.58 in 232 matches, most of them batting at the challenging number six position where he averaged an incredible 56.71, remains remarkable even by modern standards. Bevan's strength was his ability to pace an innings perfectly, breaking seemingly impossible targets into manageable chunks. His memorable finish in the 1995-96 World Series match against West Indies, rescuing Australia from 38/6 to victory, epitomizes the master of impossible situations. Lance Klusener Image Source : Getty Images Lance Klusener brought a new dimension to the finishing role, with his explosive batting and reliable bowling. Known as the "one-day wrecker," Klusener's knack of turning the match on its head came most amply to the fore in the 1999 World Cup, where he scored 250 runs and took 17 wickets in eight matches. His average of 41.10 in ODIs combined with 192 wickets makes him one of cricket's most effective all-round finishers. Being South Africa power hit and calm under pressure will go down as a prototype to modern Best Finisher in Cricket. Jos Buttler Image Source : Getty Images Jos Buttler is one of the modern Best Finisher in Cricket. The white-ball captain of England has rewritten the role with 360-degree shot-making ability along with an excellent strike rate. Having an ODI average of 40.43 and the capability of scoring all around the ground, Buttler is the blend of old school finishing and modern innovation and, as such, one of the biggest assets in contemporary cricket with respect to adaptability, especially in the light of his instant acceleration of innings. Kieron Pollard Image Source : AFP With raw power, Kieron Pollard was brought to the finishing role. His capability to clear any boundary with such ease made him a dreaded finisher, especially in T20 cricket. How pure power-hitting can go with smart cricket is well illustrated by the success of Pollard with Mumbai Indians in IPL and to West Indies cricket. His composure under pressure and decisive strikes in key moments make him stand out from cricket's elite finishers. AB de Villiers Image Source : Getty Images AB de Villiers transformed batting with his capability of hitting the ball on ground anywhere. His ODI average of 53.5 and record-breaking fastest century in just 31 balls against West Indies in 2015 speak to extraordinary talents that exist in him. The innovativeness of his shot making, coupled with his potential for dominating any bowling, has made him one of the Best Finisher in Cricket has ever seen. His performance for South Africa and for Royal Challengers Bangalore often consisted of seemingly impossible shots redefining what was possible in cricket's dying overs. Shahid Afridi Image Source : AFP Shahid Afridi brought unparalleled aggression to the finishing role. His fearless approach and ability to change games within moments made him a unique finisher. With 32 Man of the Match awards for Pakistan, Afridi's impact on games was often decisive. His memorable performances, like the 2009 T20 World Cup final and the 2014 Asia Cup match against India, show his ability to deliver under pressure. Michael Hussey Image Source : Getty Images Michael Hussey earned his reputation by finishing off roles in extraordinary consistency. His average of 120.83 at position seven in ODIs says it all about his reliability. The most memorable finish for Hussey was in the 2010 World T20 semifinal, where he scored 60 off 24 balls, including 18 runs off the last over, showing his ability to perform under extreme pressure. Chris Cairns Image Source : ESPN Chris Cairns was the one who showed balance in finishing. He can hit very powerfully with the bat and also his bowling helped him finish games. Therefore, he became a great help for New Zealand. For the same reason, as Cairns scored more than 3,320 runs with 210 wickets against the opposition, he is ranked as one of the Best Finisher in Cricket. Javed Miandad Image Source : Getty Images Javed Miandad's method of finishing was based on technical excellence and mental strength. His last-ball six in the final of the 1986 Austral-Asia Cup is iconic for finishing. The fact that he has an average of 66.24 while chasing shows that he masters the art of finishing by proper classical batting techniques, while his unbeaten finishing percentage is close to half. Also Read | Top 5 Most ICC Trophy-Winning Captains | Legendary Leaders Conclusion While each of them brought something unique to the finishing role, MS Dhoni is different and stands as Best Finisher in Cricket. The combination of consistency, innovation, and the ability to deliver under pressure makes him a standout character. However, cricket has continued to evolve and brings forth new talents who define the role anew. All these factors lead us to understand what a great finisher is. These factors are the legacy of finishers like Bevan, the power of Pollard, the innovation of Buttler, and the classical approach of Miandad.