IPL 2021: Current best playing XI of the tournament

6. Andre Russell 

Talking of impact, Andre Russell is one player probably having the most impact in T20s with his ability to clear the ropes consistently, bowl at various stages of the match, and field at high traffic positions. While he has played just 4 full-fledged seasons of the IPL, he has been the player of the tournament twice (2015 and 2019). He played for the Delhi Daredevils earlier but was unable to prove his mettle and since his signing at Kolkata Knight Riders, he has been their star player. 

He has played 81 matches and scored 1680 runs including 9 fifties at an average just below 30 and a mind-boggling strike rate of 179.3. Adding to that, he also has picked 68 wickets at a bowling economy of just over 9 runs per over – a tad expensive but worth noting that he bowls at the death as well. 

Being injury-prone is arguably the biggest bane for him. He is the deadliest in the last few overs when he gets a few balls to face early in the innings, probably a strategy which KKR might need to consider. If KKR manage to bring out the best in him and give him consistent opportunities to bat up the order, don’t be surprised if Muscle Russell manages to take KKR to glory single-handedly.