The Indian Premier League (IPL) will return for its 16th season in March-April to excite ardent fans. In the event, nine teams will compete to dethrone the reigning champions, the Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans (GT). The franchises made some record acquisitions during the mini-auction in December, paying a great amount to bolster their sides. In the forthcoming competition, clubs will expect their players to be fantastic and give their all in order to win the crown. Yet, in order for this to happen, these teams will need to strengthen every area.
Cricket fans have seen how finishers have played an important part in their team’s victory during the previous 15 editions of the event. Top finishers have benefited the most successful IPL teams, including Mumbai Indians (MI), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Gujarat Titans (GT), the current IPL winners, also benefited from having several great finishers in the 2022 season. The franchises will rely on their players in the forthcoming edition, who have the ability to carry them home with their spectacular match-finishing powers.
Below are the top five finishers ahead of the IPL 2023.
Number 5. Tim David
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The Mumbai Indians (MI) trusted Tim David to provide power to their batting lineup. During the super auction, the franchise paid INR 8.25 crore for the Australian player. In return, he scored 186 runs in eight matches with a strike rate of 216.27.
He failed to impress with his bat in the first two games, scoring just 12 and 1 against the Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), respectively. After seeing his dismal performances, team management dropped him for the following six matches. He returned to the playing XI in the second part of the season and produced some great batsmanship.
MI will look on him to be a great match-finisher in the next tournament. David’s task after Kieron Pollard’s retirement will be to fill the former MI stalwart’s shoes in the lower middle order.
Number 4. Glenn Maxwell
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Glenn Maxwell, the powerful Australian batter, will be essential to Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) effort in the next competition. Since joining the team in 2021, the powerful Australian hitter has amassed 814 runs in 28 games with a strike rate of 152.43.
In the previous campaign, he scored 301 runs in 13 matches with a strike rate of 169.10. The 34-year-old offers a hard-hitting capacity with a range of strokes, and RCB will anticipate him to be a match-finisher for them.
Because of his outstanding record, he is regarded as one of the finest finishers in international cricket. Maxwell’s aggressive playing style has wonderfully served as a match-finisher for his national side Australia.
Number 3. MS Dhoni
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Mahendra Dhoni will try to conclude his IPL career on a high note by hoisting another title for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The veteran turned heads in the 2022 edition by handing the franchise’s leadership baton to Ravindra Jadeja. But, the 34-year-old failed to demonstrate his leadership abilities and relinquished control of the squad to Dhoni.
With his leadership and batting, the 41-year-old will attempt to capture the franchise’s fifth championship. Dhoni scored 232 runs in 14 IPL matches with a strike rate of 123.40 in the 2022 season, keeping his reputation as a finisher intact with centuries against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Mumbai Indians (MI).
Till now, the CSK mainstay has scored 4,853 runs in 228 league games, including 23 half-centuries at a strike rate of 137.09. With these batting statistics, he is also CSK’s second-leading run-scorer.
Number 2. Liam Livingstone
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For the 2022 IPL auction, Punjab Kings (PBKS) signed Liam Livingstone for INR 11.5 crore. The English hitter gave exceptional stats to the club in the league after being acquired for a large price, with 437 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 182.08.
Livingstone was unusual versus bowlers in the key match against Gujarat Titans (GT). With his unbroken innings of 30 runs off only 10 balls, the right-hander helped his side easily defeat their opponents. Livingstone’s 49-run innings off 29 pitches in the league’s last group game demonstrated his unrivalled match-finishing talents once again.
Livingstone’s form will be critical this year if PBKS is to have a successful season. Thus far, the 29-year-old has participated in 23 IPL games, scoring 549 runs with four half-centuries at a strike rate of 166.87.
Number 1. David Miller
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David Miller was a key element in Gujarat Titans’ (GT) 2022 championship success. In 16 games, he scored 481 runs with a strike rate of 142.72. Miller became the franchise’s third-highest run-scorer in the showpiece event with these amazing stats.
Miller hit a match-winning 94* off 51 deliveries against the reigning champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The Protea won the gigantic qualification game in the playoffs for the GT once again with his mesmerising 68 runs (38 balls).
The significant effort of the southpaw enabled GT to secure a place in the competition’s final. The veteran has recently been in terrific form, having won a few games for South Africa with his incredible match-finishing ability. As a result, his IPL club will look to him for help in defending the championship in the forthcoming competition.
