New Faces for High-Pressure Finishes in Indian Cricket

Try thinking about the final overs of a tight match—the crowd pulsing, runs needed, bowlers firing their best. That’s where cricket's true finishers show their nerves and skill. After IPL 2023, fans suddenly have a new wishlist for Team India's late-innings heroes. And at the front of this transformation stands Hardik Pandya, a player who’s no stranger to pressure himself, now being trusted more and more with India's T20 and ODI captaincy duties.

So, who’s joining the ranks of India's next-gen finishers? Six names have started turning heads after the last IPL season: Rahul Tewatia, Dhruv Jurel, Abhinav Manohar, Shahrukh Khan, Rinku Singh, and Jitesh Sharma. Each of them, in their own style, has shown they can handle big moments against some of cricket's fiercest bowlers.

Meet the New Finisher Candidates

Let’s break down what these prospects bring. Rahul Tewatia has built a reputation for dramatic comebacks and clearing the rope under pressure. His knack for rescuing impossible chases isn’t new, but in this IPL season, he made it look almost routine. Dhruv Jurel, another young face from Rajasthan's stable, played several cameos where every run counted and kept cool nerves even when the team was wobbling. He isn’t loud or flashy—he just gets the job done quietly at the death.

Abhinav Manohar’s ability to muscle pace or spin into the stands provided Gujarat Titans, and now possibly India, with a handy backup option. Meanwhile, Shahrukh Khan lives up to his Bollywood namesake’s ability to hold attention—he’s fearless at the crease, willing to take on the biggest moments, even when wickets are tumbling.

But it was Rinku Singh’s IPL 2023 that really left jaws dropped: his finish against Gujarat, when he hit five sixes in a row to seal victory, went viral worldwide. That night explained why selectors are looking at Rinku for late-innings demolition duty. Jitesh Sharma's wicketkeeping and quickfire cameos make him especially valuable; he often shifted momentum in Punjab colors just when things looked grim.

Before IPL 2023, India looked a bit thin on reliable finishers apart from tried-and-tested names. With these six stepping up, the lineup suddenly has more bite at the end. It’s good news for a side aiming to lift trophies, not just compete.

• Rahul Tewatia: Expert at punishing bowlers in the last overs, handy with the ball as well.
• Dhruv Jurel: Calm, calculated, strong sense of game awareness.
• Abhinav Manohar: Aggressive hitter, isn’t shy to play innovative strokes.
• Shahrukh Khan: Out-and-out power hitter, loves the challenge of tough runs.
• Rinku Singh: Poise under pressure, known for headline-stealing moments.
• Jitesh Sharma: Multi-skilled—wicketkeeping and fearless late overs batting.

Hardik Pandya knows what it takes to finish games—he’s done it on the world stage and in the IPL final over and over. Backing emerging talent with first-hand experience in the hot seat, he’s crafting a team not afraid of big moments. Don’t be surprised if some of these names soon become regulars in India’s T20 and ODI squads, turning crunch overs into something fans can actually look forward to—rather than dread. For a cricket-crazy country, that is a much-needed shift.