West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell has disagreed with Virat Kohli's Test cricket statement, which came after he won the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy for the first time in his 18th year for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on June 03. The legendary Indian batter, who always valued the Test format higher than the other two formats of the game, said that the 'IPL win is is five levels under Test cricket. That's how much I value Test cricket.'
Speaking to the Guardian ahead of West Indies three-match T20 series against England, the all-rounder said that he did not look down upon the T20 cricket and said he values it the most as that is what has given him recognition and love across the globe. The 36-year-old is one of the only few cricketers to have won 10 T20 titles across playing franchise T20 cricket. However, Russell has only played one Test match and last played an ODI match in 2019.
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“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.
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“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.”
Andre Russell says he will not sacrifice any franchise cricket accomplishments for a better Test career
Although Andre Russell rates Test cricket very highly, the all-rounder said he will never ever sacrifice what he has achieved in the franchise T20 cricket.
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“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.
“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.
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