MS Dhoni, fondly known as MSD, proved once again why he is one of the best finishers in cricket history. The 43-year-old led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a thrilling last-over win against Lucknow Super Giants with an unbeaten 26 off just 11 balls. This performance earned him his first Player of the Match award in six years, leaving fans and former players in awe. “Dhoni finish nahi, finisher hai,” exclaimed former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif on X. However, Dhoni’s brilliance raises a big question: where are the other finishers in IPL 2025?
For years, Dhoni has been the heartbeat of India and CSK, guiding his teams to victory in tense situations. Whether it was winning the 2011 World Cup for India with a calm 91 not out or steering CSK to five IPL titles, Dhoni’s ability to stay cool and deliver in the final overs is unmatched. Even at 43, his quick running, sharp thinking, and powerful hitting make him a class apart. His recent knock in Lucknow reminded everyone why he’s still the king of finishing. While Dhoni continues to shine, other finishers in the IPL, both new and experienced are struggling to match his level.
Indian T20i captain Suryakumar Yadav’s Instagram story for MS Dhoni.
pic.twitter.com/qbP3lReISp
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 15, 2025
A Quiet IPL 2025 for Finishers
This IPL 2025 season, Dhoni’s performance stands out as an exception among all the finishers. Another notable effort came early in the tournament when young Ashutosh Sharma smashed 66 not out off 31 balls to help Delhi Capitals chase 210 against Lucknow Super Giants. However, such moments have been rare. For instance, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) failed to chase 239 against Lucknow Super Giants despite a strong start. Rinku Singh scored 38 not out off 15, but Andre Russell managed only 7, letting the team down. Similarly, CSK couldn’t chase 220 against Punjab Kings, with Dhoni (27) and Shivam Dube (42) unable to stay till the end, resulting in an 18-run loss.
Moreover, Delhi Capitals lost by 12 runs to Mumbai Indians despite Karun Nair’s brilliant 89 off 40. Ashutosh (17) and Tristan Stubbs (1), known for big hitting, couldn’t deliver in the crucial final overs. Other big names like Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians), Shimron Hetmyer (Rajasthan Royals), and Heinrich Klaasen (Sunrisers Hyderabad) have also been quiet when their teams needed them most. Meanwhile, players like Tim David (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) haven’t even been needed much, thanks to their top-order batters dominating.
Why Are Finishers Struggling?
So, what’s going wrong? One reason could be the form of top-order batters. Players like Nicholas Pooran, Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer, and Abhishek Sharma have been scoring heavily, often finishing games early. As a result, lower-order finishers get less time to bat and prepare for tough chases. Last year, players like Stubbs and Dinesh Karthik (now retired) had more chances to shine. Another factor might be the pressure of modern T20 cricket, where bowlers are smarter, and small mistakes cost games. Unlike Dhoni, who reads the game like a book, newer finishers often struggle to stay calm.
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