IPL 2019: Three early Contenders for the MVP award 

#1 Andre Russell

Andre Russell

That Andre Russell was extremely close to becoming the first person in IPL history to wear the Orange Cap and the Purple Cap at the same time shows the immense impact he has made in just three games.

Russell, who has been in the form of his life with the bat and has also been handy with the ball, has single-handedly led his side to victory on two occasions and dragged them out of an unwinnable position and almost led them to victory on the third.

In their first game of the season, the Kolkata Knight Riders required upwards of 50 runs in the last 3 overs against the deadly Sunrisers Hyderabad attack. They seemed down and out; however, on his way to an unbeaten 19-ball 49, Andre Russell led them to victory with two balls to spare.

Russell built on that in the second game against the Kings XI Punjab and took advantage of an early reprieve when he was bowled off a no-ball by Mohammed Shami. He made sure he capitalized and propelled the Kolkata Knight Riders, who seemed to be headed towards an above average total, to an unattainable total of 218.

Just as the fear was beginning to strike in that the KKR were becoming over-reliant on Andre Russell, he bailed them out in their third game as well. Against the Delhi Capitals, he walked in to bat with his team struggling at 61 for 5 after 10 overs.

He combined well with his captain Dinesh Karthik, played a sensational inning of 62 runs off 28 balls, and led his team to a total of 185. While the KKR would go on to lose the match in a thrilling super over, Andre Russell gave his side a genuine chance of winning a match that they had no business of winning.

Amidst all his batting heroics, his bowling seems to have gone unnoticed. Though he has been slightly too expensive on occasion, it must be noted that he has taken 5 wickets in the tournament thus far and looks set to take more. In the span of these three games, Andre Russell has emerged in the eyes of many as the most valuable T20 player in the world and will hold the key to his team's fortunes as the tournament goes along.