IPL 2021: Team-wise one 'X-Factor' player in the season

One of the reasons why cricket is such an engaging game is because it is a team sport and it allows participation and heroics of more than one player. There are some players who are expected to perform with the bat and ball regularly while there are players who can literally turn the match on its head in just a matter of a few overs. 

Players like these are absolute match-winners and each team, while making their first XI, try to make sure that they have players such as these. T20 cricket is a funny game, there could be a player who scores 100 of 60 balls, but then is robbed off victory because some guy scored a quickfire 10-ball 35 from the opposition. 

In simple words, some players are tasked with the responsibility of anchoring the match for their side, while you will find some players given a specific role to play at several important stages during the match. As the IPL 2021 is about to begin on April 9, let us take a look at-

X-Factor Players from each team in IPL 2021

1. Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders)

The big West Indian is one of the most dangerous batsmen in the T20 format. He is one player who has always brought his best game to the IPL. He is certainly the X-factor for the Kolkata Knight Riders, which is also the reason why the franchise has stuck with him even when he hasn’t had the best seasons, as far as performances are concerned. 

In the 2020 season, Russell’s form with the bat was slightly underwhelming. He could only manage 117 runs from the 10 innings which he played. But, KKR would remember the 2018 and 2019 season, where he was a key member of their batting unit and had produced many match-winning performances. 

In the 2019 season, he scored 510 runs with an average of 56.66 and a strike rate of 204.81. On top of these numbers, he contributes with the ball as well. On any given day, Russell can give his captain four overs. Even though he has been expensive at times with the ball, he has a knack of picking wickets. His IPL strike rate is around 18, which means he picks a wicket in every three overs.