IPL 2018: 5 possible replacements for injured Andre Russell

Star West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell has been ruled out of the remainder of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2018 season because of a hamstring injury. Russell pulled his right hamstring in the very first over of the match while playing for Islamabad United against the Karachi Kings.

The 29-year-old had just returned to competitive cricket, following a one-year ban imposed on him by the ICC after he was found guilty of violating a doping rule. His absence was felt in the KKR team last year, and if he doesn’t recover on this time for IPL 11 too, KKR will have to keep a replacement in mind already.

Here are 5 names from IPL 2018 auctions’ unsold list which can replace Russell.

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#5 Jason Holder (Base price INR 1.5 crores)

Several things went against Jason Holder in the 2017 and 2018 IPL auctions. He didn’t have a great run in the IPL 2016 for KKR, in which he managed only 22 runs in four matches and picked up two wickets. The same year, he was in the West Indies squad for the World T20 but didn’t play in a single game.

All this led to franchise owners ignoring him in the auctions. However, his confidence has increased after his recent unbeaten 99 in the ICC World Cup qualifiers. His overall T20 record is not too bad either. In 74 games, the bowling all-rounder has 472 runs and 56 wickets.

His base price of 1.5 crores was what cost him a place in the 11th IPL season.

#4 Andile Phehlukwayo (Base price INR 50 lakhs)

The youngster is yet to play in any T20 league around the world

The South African youngster’s recent performances against India can land him an opportunity to replace Russell, although he will have to fend off much competition from the others mentioned on this list.

The 22-year-old wasn’t too impressive in the 5 ODIs against India, with only six wickets and 87 runs. But in the three T20Is, the bowling all-rounder was quite economical with figures of 1/16, 1/15 and 0/26. He went unsold in both the 2017 and 2018 auctions but can be given a chance as a last resort for Russell’s replacement.

Talking of his T20 records alone, he has 265 runs and 35 wickets from 49 games.

#3 Corey Anderson (Base price INR 2 crores)

Corey Anderson, on his day, can prove menacing for any team

Corey Anderson struggled to make an impact for the Delhi Daredevils last year, managing only 142 runs and three wickets in 11 games. As a result, the franchise decided against retaining him this year and did not even bid for him in the auction.

Since undergoing a back surgery, the New Zealand all-rounder hasn’t been able to do much justice to his name, but on his day, Anderson can win his team matches single-handedly.

His 1768 runs in 100 T20 games, at a strike of 138.63, along with 27 wickets, is a proof of his potential in the shortest format.

#2 Moises Henriques (Base price INR 1.5 crores)

The Australian all-rounder makes for a good T20 player

Another Australian all-rounder, Moises Henriques fired on all cylinders in IPL 2015 when he played for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. That season, from nine games, Henriques scored 287 runs at a strike rate of 136 and also picked up 11 wickets at a miserly economy rate of 6.32.

In 2016, he picked up 12 wickets. Besides, he also serves as a smart catcher of the ball and a good fielder. In the past three IPL seasons – 2015, 2016 and 2017, the all-rounder has scored 746 runs and taken 24 wickets in 38 matches.

Perhaps, setting himself a base price of Rs 1.5 Crores – an amount said to be too high for Henriques, backfired in the auctions.

#1 James Faulkner (Base price INR 2 crores)

James Faulkner was one of the star performers in BBL 7

Australian all-rounder James Faulkner’s place in his national team has been very sporadic over the last few months, but when it comes to T20 franchise cricket, he is known for leading his side to a win from a crunch situation.

A part of the Pune Warriors India in IPL 2011, Kings XI Punjab in 2012, Rajasthan Royals from 2013 to 2015 and Gujarat Lions in 2016, the all-rounder brings vast experience with him to the table.

His match-winning capabilities were seen when he scored almost 200 runs in nine innings for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League 7 and took six wickets too, with an economy rate of 7.95 runs per over.

Faulkner set himself at a base price of Rs 2 Crores but had no bidders for him. If Russell does not recover in time for the knights, Faulkner can be the one KKR management can keep an eye on.