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Royal Challengers Bangalore wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma recently ranked the greatest finishers in IPL history. He was playing a blind-ranking format. In the blind-ranking format, contestants are asked to rank players in a certain number of slots (in this case, 10) without knowing who will be the next player on the list.
In a typical ranking system, all options are placed on the table at once, and then they are ranked. In blind ranking, there is no information about who will rank next. Jitesh was speaking to Cricbuzz when he was asked to rank the greatest finishers of IPL.
Blind Ranking Finishers ft Jitesh Sharma
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– Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) 13 May 2026
Greatest finishers in IPL as ranked by Jitesh Sharma
David Miller – #4
Jitesh gave fourth place to South Africa and Delhi Capitals batsman David Miller. Over the years, Miller has earned a reputation for being a heavy hitter in the death overs and leading many chases himself.
Even in IPL 2026, Miller’s death prowess has been on display in a few matches, even if Delhi Capitals barely survived in the tournament. Miller’s crowning glory was undoubtedly when he scored a century in 38 balls after batting at number 5.
AB de Villiers – #1
Miller’s fellow South African and RCB legend AB de Villiers topped Jitesh’s list. ‘ABD’ did not always play as a finisher, but his exploits are legendary.
De Villiers may have held down a spot at the top of the order when asked about in his heyday, but receiving more Player of the Match awards than any player in IPL history cements his status as a legend.
Tim David – #3
Jitesh Sharma replaced his current RCB teammate Tim David at the third position. David is a relatively recent addition to the IPL, having only made his debut in 2021.
But even in his short time in the league, David has managed to become an extremely dangerous name during his stints with both Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Shashank Singh – #9
Even though Shashank Singh was in the IPL team since 2017, it took him until 2022 to make his IPL debut. Even when he did so, he did not get to bat in the first five matches, but when he was finally called to the crease he impressed, scoring 25 runs.
However, his real recognition came in the 2024 season. That year, despite the naming confusion, he became a household name for the Punjab Kings due to his last-over exploits and his ability to complete impossible chases.
That ability stayed with him throughout his career and in 2025, PBKS trusted him enough to retain him as an uncapped player ahead of the mega auction.
Andre Russell – #7
Ahead of the 2026 season, Kolkata Knight Riders legend Andre Russell has decided to retire. KKR was not Russell’s first franchise, but it was where he made his name as a power-hitter and a useful bowler.
With all his exploits in the death overs, he also won two IPL titles with the team. Russell is currently part of the KKR dugout as the ‘Power Coach’.
Kieron Pollard – #5
Pollard spent his entire IPL career at Mumbai Indians, joining them in 2010 and playing 189 matches till 2022. He is one of two players to feature in all five of MI’s IPL trophies as a player. At MI, Pollard transformed from a skinny 19-year-old to an IPL and T20 stalwart.
Like his fellow Caribbean teammate Andre Russell, Pollard also developed a reputation as a big hitter who could turn a game around in a matter of minutes. He now serves as the batting coach of Mumbai Indians.
Dinesh Karthik – first #6, then #8
Karthik’s reputation as a dashing finisher was developed only later in his career. He was a constant presence behind the stumps, no matter which team he played for.
He was also tried for middle and top-order roles earlier, but in the last chapter of his career, he was an out-and-out finisher. His finishing skills helped him earn a recall to the Indian T20I squad in 2022. After retiring in 2024, ‘DK’ now serves as the batting coach of RCB.
Hardik Pandya – #6
When Jitesh Sharma was asked to rank the current captain of Mumbai Indians, he demoted his own team’s batting coach to #8 in the rankings.
Hardik, along with his elder brother Krunal and Pollard, formed the engine room of Mumbai Indians. Hardik Pandya was a key part of MI winning most of the IPL titles in the late 2010s, especially in 2019. Hardik was also an exceptional finisher, who used to create havoc in the death overs.
Jitesh Sharma – #10
When asked to rank himself, RCB wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma placed himself at the bottom. Although Jitesh Sharma has been struggling for form this year, Jitesh Sharma has some currency in the bank as a finisher.
His first stint as a finisher was at Punjab Kings between 2022 and 2024. That stint convinced RCB that Jitesh Sharma was the right option for them in 2025. That year, Jitesh repaid RCB’s faith by making a small but significant contribution to the franchise’s first IPL title.
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