Top 5 most overrated 'T20 specialists' in cricket

3. Andre Russell

Andre Russell

This Jamaican all-rounder shot into prominence with consistent showings in the World Cup 2011 (ODI). He did his reputation no harm by producing spectacles with the bat and ball against India in the home series, needless to mention his nimbleness on the field.

Russell was already touted as the next-big thing from the Caribbean Islands. He was certainly capable of being one. Even Sir Vivian Richards saw in him the future of West Indian cricket. Alas! he hasn’t been one, three years into his international career.

He couldn’t live up to the hype. His T20I record thus far reveals a hugely appalling story. Neither has Russell been consistent (batting average = 12.66 and bowling average = 86.66), nor has he been effective (batting strike rate = 111.76 and bowling strike rate = 52.0).

True enough that he is a batting all-rounder. True enough that he bats low down the order. All the same, on most occasions he hasn’t finished the innings. Furthermore, he has only worsened the scoring rate of the team – the certification of which is presented by his strike-rate.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the Indian bowling all-rounder, bats at more or less the same position as Russell does, and averages 26.50 and strikes at over 120.

Russell’s bowling ability won’t delight any T20 captain of the world either. An economy rate of 10 runs an over along with the mentioned average and strike-rate at best can terrorize a skipper!

In the 2012 IPL auction, he was bought for a hefty sum of $450,000 by Delhi Daredevils. However, his ordinary performance in the previous season saw him almost going unsold in this year’s auction. He was eventually picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders for a 60 Lakhs INR.

Thence, the hype surrounding the all-round prowess of Andre Russell can be put to rest for the time being.