“Cinco pasos bajo el fricket de prueba” – Andre Russell responde a Virlar Kohli

West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell is set for return to the national side after a gap of a few months, but has no issues in having very limited international cricket time. Of course, he is one of the best all-rounders, when it comes to T20 franchise cricket, and has been part of the KKR, in the IPL for a very long time.

In fact, Andre Russell has gone on to win 10 (or more) T20 titles across the world, that put him in some very elite club. But of course, his longer formats career isn’t the same. And he has no qualms about it. This was particularly in response to what Virat Kohli said about winning the IPL for the first time, compared to Test glory.

Virat Kohli had said, “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.

But that isn’t what Russell agrees with. Speaking to the Guardian, he said, “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.

“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.”

“I was basically pushed out of the Test set-up. They saw me as more of a white-ball player and that was that. 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.