In cricket, finishing the game or an innings is a crucial part of the game as it can change the momentum of the match. Even if the teams doesn’t start well while batting, a good finishing by the lower order batters could give them the confidence and something to fight for.
Through the years, we have seen many great finishers in the games, especially in the limited-overs format. Finishing in an ODI match is quite different from finishing in T20 cricket, as in T20Is, the batter can attempt to hit big sixes in the last couple of overs and can take the team to a stronger position.
On the other hand, if we talk about finishing a game in ODIs, it involves a calculative approach in the last 10-12 overs and decide when to change the gears to put the match under control.
Throughout the years, we have seen some of the best finishers, who have been known for their abilities to change the course of the match with their batting in the final overs. In the following listicle, we will have a look at the top 10 best finishers in ODI cricket.
Best Finishers in ODI Cricket
10. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)
Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has been known for his aggressive batting style which has helped Pakistan to win on many occasions. One of his famous finishes in ODIs came during the Asia Cup 2014 match against India where he snatched the victory from India’s hands with his unbeaten 34*(18) as Pakistan won that match by just one wicket. The right-hand batter has amassed 8064 from 398 ODIs for Pakistan.
9. Ravindra Jadeja (India)
India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is someone who has recovered India from early breakthroughs. The left-hander usually comes to bat at seventh or eighth position for India in the 50-over format and has finished the innings on a high on multiple occasions. His 77(59) runs against New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup semi-final gave a ray of hope to all the Indian fans after the Men in Blue lost five wickets for just 71 runs. However, his fighting knock couldn’t help India that day. Jadeja has scored 2756 from 187 ODI Matches for India so far.
8. David Miller (South Africa)
David Miller has been South Africa’s one of the most dependable batters in middle-order in the last few years. The left-hander is known for his ability to anchor and the finish the innings on a high note. Boasting a strike rate of 158.64 in death overs, Miller has proved his finishing masterclass for the Proteas multiple times. He has amassed 4458 runs from 173 ODIs for South Africa so far.
7. Glenn Maxwell (Australia) 
Australia’s Glenn Maxwell is already one of the best finishers in T20Is, but the right-hander has also shown his batting prowess while finishing the games in ODI. His double hundred during the 2023 ODI World Cup fixture against Afghanistan, is the perfect example of his abilities to finish the game single-handedly. With a strike rate of 171.62, Maxwell has amassed 3895 in 138 ODIs for Australia.
6. AB de Villiers (South Africa)
Former South African skipper AB de Villiers is someone that the bowlers may didn’t want to ball especially during the last 10 overs in ODI cricket. De Villiers is a perfect example of a batter who can anchor the innings while coming up the order and can change the gears during the last 10 overs, changing the momentum of the match completely. The right-hander maintained a strike rate of 172.75 while batting in death overs in ODIs for the Protea Men. De Villiers has amassed 9577 in 228 ODI matches in his career.
5. Michael Hussey (Australia)
Also famous with the nickname of ‘Mr. Cricket’, former Australian cricketer Michael Hussey was one of the best finishers in the decade of 2000s. Coming to bat at number seven on many occasions, Hussey has been a game changer for the Aussies in death overs. The left-hander has amassed 5442 runs from 185 ODI matches for Australia with a strike rate of 87.16.
4. Lance Klusener (South Africa)
Former South African all-rounder Lance Klusener is known to be one of the best finishers in ODI for South Africa. The left-hander is known for his match-winning knocks for the Protea during the 1999 ODI World Cup. Klusener has amassed 3576 from 171 ODI matches for South Africa.
3. Sir Vivian Richards (West Indies)
One of the greatest batters of all time, former West Indies cricketer Vivian Richards mastered the art of finishing in ODI cricket in the decade of 80s. One of the most destructive batters at that time, Richards has scored 6721 runs in 187 ODI matches for the Windies.
2. MS Dhoni (India)
Former Indian skipper and the wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni is regarded as the best finisher ever to play for India. Known for giving finishing touches to the innings, he took out the team from early breakthroughs. Dhoni has been known for hitting big sixes in death overs in ODIs and mostly finished the game with a boundary. Among all these, Dhoni has scored more than 10,000 runs in ODIs. The right-hander has amassed 10,773 runs from 350 ODI matches in his career.
1. Michael Bevan (Australia)
Australia’s Michael Bevan is regarded as the best finisher in ODI cricket, who has showcased his skills of finishing matches multiple times throughout his 10-year-old ODI career. Coming to rescue top-order collapses many times, Bevan was known for shifting the momentum of the match completely especially during death overs. The left-hander has scored 6912 runs in 232 ODI matches for Australia.