Andre Russell has been one of the top entertainers in the IPL over the years and has proven his hard-hitting skills over and over while playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Former Pakistan pacer and South African pacer Wasim Akram and Dale Steyn have picked Andre Rusell as their all-rounder in the greatest all-time XI for IPL. The Indian Premier League is coming back for the 2024 season and this, the experts, fans and journalists will cast their votes to help put up a super team.
Andre Russell has been one of the most prolific all-rounders in the league and has played some explosive cricket for his franchise the Kolkata Knight Riders. Russell has amassed 2262 runs in 96 innings during his IPL career and has also taken 96 wickets with the ball. He has a strike rate of 174 with the bat and a bowling strike rate of 15.48 which makes him a great all-rounder to feature in the competition.
Former Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram highlights Andre Russell’s power-hitting ability stating that he can take a game away from the opponents in a matter of two or three overs. Apart from him, South African legend Dale Steyn also hailed ‘Dre Russ’ as a great all-rounder citing him as someone who can come and clock 145 with the ball consistently apart from his hard-hitting prowess. Both Akram and Steyn picked Ravindra Jadeja as the spin all-rounder.
“I’ll pick Russell because he’s just a big hitter, I mean Jadeja is a spin option and a gun fielder who can bat well at number 6 or 7. But, to have a guy at number 7 who can hit, and hit big regularly is huge. I’ve seen Andre Russell in the past 6, 7, 8 years, he still is an unbelievable player at number 7. He takes the game away from you in a matter of two or three overs, that’s how dangerous he is as a player,” said the former Pakistan pacer on Star Sports.
Dale Steyn reminds everyone of Andre Russell’s bowling abilities
“I’ve got two all-rounders and I suppose it would be up for debate if we were in a selection panel as to where these two would bat, 7 or 8, but I’ve got Russell and Jadeja. He (Andre Russell) also comes in and tips somebody else who is an all-rounder who could have made this team just because Andre, in his prime and when he’s fit, can bowl at 145 K per hour, so he comes in as my third seamer who bowls in at 145. I’ve got those two guys, where they bat is up for debate,” said Steyn.
Andre Russell has been out of form for the past couple of seasons in the IPL but he is someone who can contribute with both the bat and the ball. Kolkata Knight Riders have had his services for the past 10 years as he joined the franchise in 2014 and won the title with them in his first season. He will be one of the players to watch out for in the upcoming IPL 2024 as he has been in good form in T20Is and can replicate his form in the IPL for KKR.
