IPL 2019: Three early Contenders for the MVP award 

The first week of IPL 2019 has had it all: thrilling cricket, a major controversy, a super over, a collapse of epic proportions, and much more. As is the case in every edition of the league, there have always been superlative individual performances, which have, in many instances, even transcended the success of the team as a whole.

Even though cricket - regardless of its format - is well and truly a team sport, T20 cricket, in particular, can be influenced by individuals and individual brilliance more so than any other format of the game.

Individual performances ranging from long and grueling innings to a quick fiery spell of bowling can influence matches greatly and turn the tide completely. With this focus on the individual in mind, this slideshow looks at three individual players that have produced such performances in the first week and made themselves early contenders for the award of 'Most Valuable Player' given at the end of the season.

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#3 Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant

Given that Rishabh Pant has been viewed as an irresponsible and unidimensional player by some critics, this choice may raise a few eyebrows. Despite his frivolous play style - which, as critics would argue, has let his team down on certain occasions - Pant has still showcased his immense ability and made an impact in the early stages of the tournament.

In the Delhi Capitals' first match against the Mumbai Indians, the wicketkeeper-batsman from Delhi produced unarguably one of the most destructive innings in IPL history, freely stroking his way 27-ball unbeaten 77.

His innings, which included 7 boundaries and as many maximums, allowed the Delhi Capitals to get to a convincing victory against the Mumbai Indians and begin their campaign on a good note. While Pant has not produced a similar innings yet, he has got starts of 25 and 39 against the Chennai Super Kings and the Kings XI Punjab respectively, though, as per many experts, the act of him throwing his wicket away against Punjab did spark Delhi's tremendous collapse and eventual loss.

Despite all the criticism that has come his way, it remains without a doubt that Pant's batting (and keeping) will make an immense impact as the tournament goes along.

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#2 David Warner

David Warner

David Warner may not be the captain of the Sunrisers Hyderabad anymore, however, he is back and batting as well (or better) than he ever has before. Warner seems to have put the demons of Cape Town behind him and has started off this IPL season on a sensational note, scoring two half-centuries and one century in the franchise's first three games.

Warner started his season off with back to back half-centuries, scoring 85 and 69 against the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Rajasthan Royals respectively. Despite the fact that the former came in a losing cause, Warner showcased his class on both occasions and along with his new opening partner Jonny Bairstow, provided the Sunrisers Hyderabad with a good start on both occasions.

Having already started his season off well with consecutive half-centuries, David Warner went one better against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in Hyderabad and notched up his fourth ever IPL century.

While his marvelous effort may have been slightly overshadowed by Jonny Bairstow's more destructive century, few could argue against Warner's role in propelling Sunrisers to a mammoth total of 231. Thus, it is safe to say that while Warner the captain may not be back, Warner the batsman is well and truly back in the IPL.

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#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.