The making of a modern T20 finisher

What makes a modern T20 finisher special? A look at strike rates in death overs and the skills behind their success.

Reflecting on any Indian Premier League (IPL) auction over the last five seasons, every franchise’s willingness to spend massive sums on finishers has remained crystal clear. It may sound puzzling to some that batters who might face only 10–15 balls per game often end up among the most expensive players. However, the reason is simple: these players possess the skill and power to change the course of a match in the blink of an eye.

The term ‘finisher’ has evolved significantly over the years in the shortest format. MS Dhoni was the archetypal finisher during the early years of T20 cricket, winning countless matches for India and the Chennai Super Kings with his calmness and calculated hitting. Over time, however, the role began to change. Teams increasingly started valuing brute power at the death, an approach that West Indies mastered with the presence of big hitters like Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell.

The expectations for the death overs have changed. Finishers no longer view 15 runs an over as a daunting task. Modern-day finishers like Hardik Pandya and Tim David can even push the scoring rate beyond 20 runs an over, often with two sixes and two fours in a single over. As a result, the demand for traditional middle-order batters has decreased, with franchises now more willing to invest in power hitters such as Liam Livingstone, Romario Shepherd, and Rovman Powell.

MS Dhoni continues to stay among T20’s greatest finishers
In terms of scoring runs in the last five overs in T20s, Andre Russell has managed 5140 runs at a strike rate of 190.65. Pollard has nailed 496 sixes, 49 more than his Caribbean team-mate in the list. Dhoni has also collected 4796 T20 runs at a strike rate of nearly 170 with 267 sixes.

Most runs in T20s during death overs (16-20)

Russell’s six hitting in T20 death over since 2023
Despite coming to the twilight of his career, Russell has continued the same T20 dominance with a strike rate of 191.15 since 2023 in the death overs. In that same period, he has smashed 154 sixes, which is 26 more than Shepherd in the second position.

Most runs in T20s during death overs (16-20) since 2023

Dhoni’s power in IPL death overs
When it comes to the IPL, there is none better than MS Dhoni as a finisher. In the death overs, he has carried a strike rate of 174.97 for 3468 runs with 208 sixes. When it comes to the last three overs, his strike rate goes up to 202.19 with 159 sixes.

Most runs in IPL during death overs (16-20)

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Heinrich Klassen’s recent IPL death overs dominance
Since the beginning of 2023, Heinrich Klassen has taken his IPL game in the last five overs to another level with a strike rate of 204.84. Meanwhile, Tim David has the most sixes (38) in this qualification.

Most runs in IPL during death overs (16-20) since 2023

Pollard’s legacy in T20s’ death overs
In the break-up of five years since 2010 for the death overs’ performance, Pollard remains a constant name in T20s. His strike rate of 181.31 in the first phase went up to 184.32 between 2016 and 2020 before dropping to 177.56 since 2021.

Most runs in T20s during death overs (16-20) in 2010-2015

Most runs in T20s during death overs (16-20) in 2016-2020

Most runs in T20s during death overs (16-20) since 2021

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Dhoni’s phase wise IPL death overs’ dominance
In the same manner for the IPL, Dhoni’s legacy has continued. Between 2010 and 2015, the wicket-keeper batter had a strike rate of 182.55 in the death overs. For the next five years, his IPL strike rate was 170 before remaining at 170.49 since 2021.  In his entire IPL career, the Ranchi-born has nailed overall 208 sixes, which is 64 more than Pollard at the second position.

Most runs in IPL during death overs (16-20) in 2010-2015

Most runs in IPL during death overs (16-20) in 2016-2020

Most runs in IPL during death overs (16-20) since 2021

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Self-development and clarity in roles – Secret to good T20 finishers
In the death overs, the field opens out, and the bowlers look to restrict the runs rather than attacking. This is when the finishers require the skill, power, and clarity of thought to go hard from the first ball. Evaluating the impact of a finisher isn’t an easy job. It comes with different roles.

The openers, during the power play, face the same situation of going hard against the bowlers. But they have only two fielders outside the 30-yard ring with no such other pressure. Finishers, on the other hand, along with the pressure of giving a fire-cracking end, can be tasked with rebuilding after an early collapse.

The decision of sending the best finisher at the ideal entry point comes on the management’s shoulders. The longer a team holds back one of their best players, the smaller the impact the batter could have on the game. In international cricket, it’s a challenge to identify finishers for particular conditions.

“If a guy is coming over from the subcontinent who strikes at 160-180 in the back five overs, if 90% of that information is coming from the IPL, do we know how he’s going to go when someone’s bowling 145-plus (kph) into his ribs and he’s hitting to the long side at the MCG? That’s where data becomes really important.” the former RCB talent development coach, Trent Woodhill, said in an interview.

Self-development is another vital prospect for the finishers. With Pollard, for example, teams worked out that pace-off deliveries had been the veteran’s weakness. Even for Dhoni, teams realized that yorkers had been a risky business against his helicopter shot.

This upcoming IPL 2026 season will produce more instances of great finishes. But the secret code remains simple. The best finishers, along with power, require proper clarity and self-development for continuous success.

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