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Andre Russell said he does not regret not having established a sound Test career, disagreeing with Virat Kohli's take after the IPL 2025 win. (BCCI)
Caribbean all-rounder Andre Russell is set to return to the West Indies line-up for the first time since November 2024 during the forthcoming T20I series against England. Fresh from the IPL 2025 season, Russell said he has no regrets over his limited game time in his international career in the same timeline where he has established himself as one of franchise cricket’s greatest all-rounders.
Russell is one of a handful of cricketers to have won at least 10 T20 titles across the world, including multiple IPL titles with the Kolkata Knight Riders and T20 World Cup triumphs. However, the 37-year-old has only featured in one Test for the Windies and has not been a part of the 50-over set-up since 2019. Speaking to the Guardian, Russell said he did not look down upon the T20 cricket system and said it remains as important as any international assignment.
Russell was responding to a question posed with regard to Virat Kohli’s recent admission after winning his maiden IPL title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the first time in 18 seasons. “This moment is right up there with the best moments I’ve had in my career. But it still marks five levels under Test cricket. That’s how much I value Test cricket. And that’s how much I love Test cricket. So I would just urge the youngsters coming through to treat that format with respect,” said Kohli after RCB triumphed over Punjab Kings in the final in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
However, Russell said the outlook wasn’t the same for a cricketer from the Caribbean. “I think when you’re from India, Australia, England, those places where they look after their Test players, it’s totally different to being from West Indies,” said Russell.
“Those guys get lucrative central contracts to play Test cricket and play on the biggest stages, of course they want to play. West Indians? You might play 50 or 100 Tests, and you know, after you retire, there’s not much to show for it.”
Although he believes in the value of Test cricket, Russell said that he wouldn’t sacrifice any of his franchise cricket accomplishments for a better red-ball status.
“I was basically pushed out of the Test set-up. They saw me as more of a white-ball player and that was that,” said Russell, whose solitary Test appearance came back in 2010.
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“Honestly? No. I believe in Test cricket, but at the end of the day, I’m a professional. It wasn’t part of my journey. I have no regrets because it wasn’t me that turned my back,” he added.
English (US) ·