West Indies' veteran all-rounder Andre Russell has announced his retirement from international cricket. However, he will be part of the team for the first two matches of the upcoming five-match T20 series against Australia.
Andre Russell Retirement: West Indies cricket team's veteran all-rounder Andre Russell has announced his retirement from international cricket (Andre Russell Retirement). Russell will bid farewell to international cricket after playing the first two matches of the upcoming 5-match T20 series against Australia.
This decision is considered a major setback for West Indies cricket, as the team needed his experience before the T20 World Cup 2026, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka next year.
Will play his last match on July 23 in Jamaica
Andre Russell has been included in the West Indies team for this series against Australia. According to reports, he will be available only for the first two T20 matches. His last international match will be played on July 23, 2025, at Sabina Park, Jamaica. The special thing is that Jamaica is Andre Russell's home ground, where he will bid farewell to his international career in front of his home crowd.
Russell's Retirement: A Big Blow for West Indies
This decision by Andre Russell has deeply shocked the West Indies team. The West Indies team is preparing to play the T20 World Cup next year, and in such a situation, Russell's retirement could affect the Windies' plans in this format. Recently, another star player of West Indies, Nicholas Pooran, also announced his retirement from international cricket.
Andre Russell was part of the West Indies team that won the T20 World Cup in 2012 and 2016. After his retirement, the West Indies will have to enter their next T20 World Cup campaign without experienced stars like Russell and Pooran.
Andre Russell's International Career in Numbers
Andre Russell started his career for West Indies in 2010. However, due to fitness and other reasons, he could not play consistently in international cricket. In a career spanning 15 years, he played a total of 141 international matches. His international figures are as follows:
- Test cricket: 1 match, 2 runs, 1 wicket
- ODI cricket: 56 matches, 1034 runs, 70 wickets
- T20 International: 84 matches, 1078 runs, 61 wickets
Andre Russell is considered one of the most dangerous all-rounders in the T20 format. He has performed brilliantly in T20 leagues around the world with his explosive batting and useful bowling. But his availability in international cricket has always been limited.
Will Focus on Franchise Cricket
After Russell's retirement, it is clear that he will now focus entirely on franchise cricket. He is an important part of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL and has also made his mark in many T20 leagues around the world. Russell's international career may not have been very big in terms of numbers, but his role was important for the West Indies.
His contribution to the T20 World Cup titles in 2012 and 2016 can never be forgotten. His big sixes and brilliant bowling in the death overs have won West Indies many times.
