IPL 217: Five Replacements For The Suspended Andre Russell For KKR
Mar 29, 2017 at 10:50 PM
India’s tiring home season has finally come to an end but there is no stopping the entertainment. It is almost the end of the March and that means it is IPL time in the country.
The clubs from around the country have already spent millions on their players as this edition of the slam-bang T20 tournament promises to be better than before.
However, it has constantly been hit by a few things, injuries and suspension to star players being one of them.
A number of players playing for different franchises have withdrawn from their teams after picking up injuries recently.
One such player who is now ruled out of the Indian Premier League this year is West Indies superstar, Andre Russell. He has been banned for one year from cricket for a whereabouts clause violation by an independent anti-doping panel in Kingston, which will affect his place in the IPL.
One of the most influential players for IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, Russell was a constant in the team and was excellent in the previous season of the competition. However, KKR cannot call back on him this season and will need to find some replacements.
Here are five replacements for Andre Russell that the Kolkata Knight Riders could opt for this edition of the IPL:
Grant Elliot:
The New Zealand all-rounder is not the perfect replacement for Russell but he is a utility player that can help the Knight Riders this season. He can roll his arm over and can also use the long handle to good effect and more importantly, at 38, he is an experienced player who could be the difference for KKR in crunch games.
Colin Munro:
The last option on the list for KKR, Colin Munro is a specialist for the national side in the short formats and is one of the most effective players in the domestic circuit in New Zealand. With incredible numbers in the T20 format, Munro, who can not only score big but also bowl slow mediums that can help KKR in crunch games. Surely, Munro is a decent option for KKR.
Thisara Perera:
The hard-hitting Sri Lankan all-rounder is another player who failed to find a club in the most recent auction. Having put in some decent performances for the KIXP in the previous season, Perera is a superb option in T20 games and KKR need not look too far beyond the Sri Lankan to replace Russell in the first team.
Jason Holder:
Though not as good as a batsman as Andre Russell, Holder is a decent all rounder who can handle the bat and can trouble the opponents with the ball. He is the skipper of the national side in the longest format and is a player who knows the ins and outs of the game. It will be hard for KKR to replace Russell but Holder could be a decent option.
Irfan Pathan:
The Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan is probably the best option for KKR at the moment. Currently, without a club in the IPL, Pathan has last played an international game for India back in 2002 but has been busy in the domestic season. He went unsold in the auction and with KKR looking for replacements for Andre Russell, he could be a perfect choice.