5 All-rounders who can replace Andre Russell in the IPL

Cricket fans were left stunned after reports emerged that charismatic West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell will be unavailable for the 10th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Russell has been one of the key figures for the Kolkata Knight Riders over the years and his absence will surely hurt the cause.

The auction for IPL 2017 will take place on the 20th of February and the Knight Riders will be hoping to sign up an effective replacement who can get the job done in Russell’s absence. Let’s take a look at the 5 All-Rounders whom the Knight Riders will surely be targeting-

1. Ben Stokes

The 25-year-old English all-rounder has been one of the most consistent performers for England. His big-hitting and economical bowling performances have earned him the vice-captain’s role in the English cricket team which indicates how highly he is valued by the team management.

Stokes was one of the key performers for England in the T20 World Cup 2016 and performed consistently in the away series against India. His ability to change the game in a couple of overs down the order with the willow and bowl accurate Yorkers makes him the perfect candidate to target for any franchise. The Knight Riders will be wise to target him.

2. Corey Anderson

The 26-year-old Kiwi all-rounder is one of the top all-rounders currently in the T20 format. 1478 runs in 84 matches at an average of 25.92 and strike rate of 138.26 with the willow indicates what an asset he is.

Not only this he has also earned 24 wickets in 84 matches at a strike rate of 23.5 and an economy rate of 8.56 which indicates how useful he can be in the middle overs which can make or break a game. Anderson’s presence ensures match-winning performances which will surely attract the attention of the Kolkata-based franchise.

3. Sean Abbott

The 24-year-old Australian fast bowler is one of the most talented youngsters currently in world cricket. His lethal pace-bowling performances in domestic cricket earned him an IPL contract with the Royal Challengers Bangalore last season.

Abbott finished as the leading wicket-taker in the recently season of the Big Bash with 20 wickets at a strike rate of 11.1 and average of 16.15 for the Sydney Sixers. Sean can strike the ball cleanly and score vital runs down the order. Abbott can surely get the job done for the Knight Riders.

4. Tom Cooper

The 30-year-old all-rounder from Netherlands is one of the most aggressive and dynamic players in the format. Cooper’s top performances for BBL franchise Melbourne Renegades have made him a fan favourite and one of the players whose performances crowd flock to witness.

Cooper enjoyed an astounding ODI average of 81.33 at one stage of his career. His 3 consecutive half centuries in his first 3 One-day Internationals and a match-winning century in the 5th ODI while representing Netherlands earned him a lot of appreciation from experts.

Tom is also a handy off-break bowler which is evident from the 18 wickets he has earned in 103 matches at a strike rate of 19.0.

5. David Willey

The energetic, competitive, innovative and charismatic 26-year-old English all-rounder can be described as the perfect T20 cricketer. The left-armer is one of the few handy wicket-taking pace bowlers out there currently in the game and is more than capable of smashing a few lusty blows with the willow.

David who has been labeled as “the Northants Botham” is extremely capable of delivering for the Knight Riders with his unorthodox batting and accurate bowling performances.

The team stands to gain an efficient opening bowler which is a vacant slot after Morne Morkel’s release and also an aggressive big-hitting batsman who can take the same role Russell played.

Written by Arnab Mukherji