May 7, 2015 (Sporting Alert) — With only 14 matches remaining before the start of the 2015 Pepsi Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs, the West Indians have proven their worth and are making this season one to remember.
Jamaican all-rounder Andre Russell and fellow Caribbean native, Dwayne Bravo of Trinidad and Tobago, are two of the strong MVP candidates at the moment, following impressive performances for their respective teams.
Russell, who features for the Kolkata Knight Riders, is sitting first on the performance list, while Chennai Super Kings’ Bravo is currently at third in the list.
The West Indian pair have logged magnificent performances with both the bat and ball while being absolutely superb in the field.
Bravo has provided the spark for table leaders and two-time champions Chennai Super Kings with great performances on a nightly basis.
The 31-year-old has thus far smashed a total of 18 fours and 2 sixes and boast a strike rate of 130.00.
He has also managed to bag 16 wickets so far, at an impressive economy rate of 7.57, while taking nine catches — most of which have been quite stunning.
Meanwhile, Russell has been producing superman-like performances for the Kalkota Knight Riders in his quest for a 2nd consecutive hold on the IPL trophy and third for the Knight Riders.
The 27-year-old has been superb with the bat — smashing some 25 fours and blasting 13 sixes — while bragging a remarking league leading strike rate of 194.11 with only 7 innings logged at the crease.
Russell has also managed to bag nine-wickets with another impressive economy rate of 7.33, while pulling down three catches.
With both CSK and KKR having four matches left on the schedule, the pair, if they can maintain their respective forms, will make things interesting for the remainder of the tournament.
Meanwhile, another highlighted West Indian playing in the IPL this term is the hard-hitting Jamaican opener Chris Gayle, who has smashed 29 sixes already, the most in the tournament this year, and has an average of 51.00.
He is also eighth in the MVP standings and would be a safe bet to keep climbing.
Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith and Kieron Pollard are also solid contributors for their respective clubs.
