5 ideal replacements for Andre Russell if he is unavailable for KKR

Andre Russell pulled his right hamstring during the match against Karachi Kings in PSL and he will miss the remaining matches of PSL 2018.

This is Russell's first tournament after his return from the year-long ban for doping violations. Chris Lynn was also injured recently, now with two big match winners injured KKR now looks in a serious trouble.

If the West Indian misses this IPL, it would be a big blow for KKR as he is one of the finest all-rounders in the international cricket and it would be very tough to find his replacement.

If he is unavailable for the entire IPL due to his injury, here are the five possible replacements for him.

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#5 Colin Ingram

Colin Ingram is a good middle order batsman

Colin Ingram is a very experienced T20 player who has scored 4229 runs in 170 matches. He has scored three centuries and 25 fifties in those 170 matches.

Ingram also bowls some decent leg spin and has taken 31 wickets at an economy rate of 7.61. He was in a good form in the recently completed Natwest T20 blast.

He scored 502 runs in the 2016 T20 Blast season, hitting 29 sixes. In 2017, he scored two T20 hundreds as Glamorgan reached the finals of the tournament.

KKR won't be able to find someone like Russell as a replacement but they can find a player who can do one or two jobs that the Windies all-rounder could do.

Ingram is a solid hitter of the ball, who will strengthen KKR's middle order and could help them to put a big score on the board.

#4 Corey Anderson

Anderson is a good all-rounder who can be dangerous at middle order

Corey Anderson is the left-handed batsman of the New Zealand who can also bowl medium pace.

He came to limelight when he set the world record for the fastest ODI hundred, he scored a smashing century off just 36 balls against the West Indies.

That knock included 14 sixes and six fours. He played a key role in the 2015 World Cup which took them to the final of the tournament.

In his 29 T20Is, he scored 432 runs which included an innings of 94. He has also taken 14 wickets in these 29 matches.

His bowling in ODIs is more impressive, in 49 ODIs he has taken 60 wickets. Anderson could prove to be a good all rounder for KKR.

His medium pace gives KKR an extra bowling option. He was out of international cricket for a long time due to his injury. If he is fit now, he could be a good addition to the KKR squad.

#3 Moises Henriques

Henriques is a good option as he provides a great balance in the team

Moises Henriques is the most underrated player to play in the IPL. He is a good all-rounder who has picked 38 wickets in 57 matches and scored 969 runs with an average of 28.5.

He played a pivotal role in the Sunrisers Hyderabad team which won its first IPL title in 2016. He served as a good middle order batsman who was consistent at the No. 3 position.

He was also an effective middle over bowler for the team. It was a surprise that Hyderabad didn't get him back.

KKR could use Henriques as an all-rounder who could bat at middle order and could bowl good four overs for them.

KKR could also use him as a lower order batsman who could finish the game with his big hitting.

#2 Thisara Perera

Thisara Perera is an attacking bowling allrounder who can do pinch hitting as well

Thisara Perera is an attacking all-rounder from Sri Lanka. He is a right-arm fast bowler and the left-handed batsman. Perera is majorly a bowler but is also capable of finishing a game by his lower order pinch hitting.

He has scored 889 runs in 69 T20Is with an astonishing strike rate of 151.45. In these 69 matches, he has taken 49 wickets with an economy rate of 9.03.

If Russell is unavailable, Perera could be a suitable replacement for him. Perera has shown some good form in recent matches. He has taken phenomenal 11 wickets in five ODIs at an economy rate of 4.85 this year.

He also played a thunderous inning of 84 runs in 30 balls against Sri Lanka Navy Sports Club in this year's SLC Tournament.

Perera, with his powerful hitting at lower order, could help KKR in finishing the game. With his variations and change in pace Perera could be an effective bowler for the Kolkata oufit as well.

#1 David Willey

David Willey is a competitive T20 player who can change the game with both bat and ball

David Willey could prove to be the best replacement for KKR. He is an English all-rounder who is an attacking left-arm fast bowler.

He has picked 24 wickets in 20 T20Is at an economy rate of 8.6. He is also an incredible fielder who has taken some brilliant catches.

He has scored blazing 118 runs off 55 balls in a T20 victory over Worcestershire which also includes 34 runs in an over.

He also used to open for Perth Scorchers in recently completed Big Bash League. In a recent game of PM XI and England XI, he scored 79 runs off just 36 balls and also picked up three wickets.

With Willey, KKR will get a perfect T20 cricketer. An innovative player who is fiercely competitive and is capable of changing games with both bat and ball, KKR would be more than happy to have him on their side.

He could bat anywhere for the team plus he is also a very good bowler who can bowl in any situation, Willey could be the perfect addition to the KKR squad.