T20 World Cup: One X-Factor player from each team

8. Andre Russell (West Indies)

 Even though the entire West Indies team has an abundance of X-factor players, Andre Russell is probably the most impactful of them all in T20s with his ability to clear the ropes consistently, bowl at various stages of the match, and field at high traffic positions. He has figured out a new bowling tactic of going around the wicket with a bit of a slinging action, angling away from the right-hander, forcing him to hit mostly on the offside, or letting him take the risk of hitting against the angle. 

He has played 62 T20Is and scored 716 runs including a solitary fifty at an average a touch above 21 and a colossal strike rate of 156.33. He has also picked up 36 wickets at a bowling economy of 9.18, probably on the higher scale but acceptable as he bowls mostly in the death overs. Though his T20I record isn’t the best by any means, his IPL stats speak for themselves big time. He has been the player of the tournament twice (2015 and 2019) despite playing only six seasons regularly.

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 WI may consider. If WI 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 lead WI’s title defence successfully.