Who Fits in the Finisher Shoes?

Gone are the days when we used to envy the likes of Lance Klusener, Chris Cairns and Moin Khan, now Indian cricket team has their own group of end over finishers. The role of the sixth or seventh batmen is pivotal in any ODI side. Muscle strength and cool mind comes in handy at such situations. The players should also have a knack to innovate. The search for such a player started during the period of Greg Chappell. He tried to make Irfan Pathan fit into this role. Later on this experimentation with Irfan losing the plot both with the bowl and bat, so India looked at M.S. Dhoni to provide them with this cutting edge. Virender Sehwag gets the Indian side off to a breezing start on his good days. But alongside M.S Dhoni there is need for another player who will share the burdens. 

Pathan Brothers After Taking India to Victory

The IPL unearthed many big hitters. Foremost among them were Yusuf Pathan and Ravindra Jadeja. The idol status of Yusuf Pathan got him picked for the Indian national team. He got many successes initially and went on to score two centuries against New Zealand and South Africa. He also proved to be an ideal off spinner in the Indian conditions. But Ravindra Jadeja has also made many notable contributions in his time with the Indian team. If he does not have hard hitting finesse of Yusuf he has the capability to crafty left arm spin bowling. 

Yusuf Pathan During his Century Against South Africa

Recently Yusuf has not had a good time with the bat and thus the selectors decided to bring in Ravindra Jadeja for the key series against England at home. The willy all-rounder performed admirably in this series. He finished off as the leading wicket-taker with 11 wickets and scoring 74 runs in 3 innings, including a pivotal 26 not out of 24 balls in Mohali which helped India beat England in that match. Thus he has laid a strong claim and holds an upperhand over Yusuf Pathan. 

Ravindra Jadeja Congratulated by his Teammates

Making a selection on both of them would be unfair. Yusuf Pathan has the mettle to destroy any bowling attack with his willow. He is the superstar of IPL for the last few editions. Even when Yusuf was in the Indian colours he helped India get out of a tight spot with his batting skills. With the ball he is very accurate but does not have the same skills as Ravindra Jadeja does. Jadeja on the other hand does not seem to be a long innings player. In the end overs he can play the support role to do his best. He is a partnership player using the long handle only when need be. If you are looking for consistency in players coming to bat at six or seven then you are asking the unexpected. Amount of risks such finishers have to take does not permit them to accumulate the runs. 


If you are playing on Indian or sub-continental wickets then Ravindra Jadeja is a good choice, but when confronted with seamer friendly wickets he struggles. Yusuf Pathan on the other hand is a more accomplished batsman. I would ideally like both these performers to be given their fair chances. Another player who should now be given a look in is Yusuf’s brother Irfan Pathan. He seems to be slowly getting back his old skills. The Australia tour would be a great place to test the skills of the Pathan brothers.