Andre Russell has been in the news lately as he has called time on his T20I career after the first two T20Is in Jamaica. The Jamaican all-rounder has had a decorated career in the shortest format for the West Indies and continues to dominate franchise cricket all over. Andre Russell has played some stellar knocks for the West Indies in the past and has contributed with the ball.
Here, we will focus on his batting and his contribution of finishing matches for his side. We will list out three best knocks of Andre Russell in T20Is for the West Indies.
40* off 14 balls vs Sri Lanka, Pallekele, 2020
It was March 2020, and COVID-19 pandemic was just coming into our lives and becoming the new normal. Russell blasted the Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground hitting an unbeaten 40 runs off 14 deliveries which made sure that the West Indies chase the target of 156 without breaking any sweat.
In this particular match, West Indies were 103/3 in the 13th over with the game in the balance. The hosts Sri Lanka had more than just a good chance of winning the game. But Russell had other ideas. He walked in and within a space of 12 deliveries that he faced, the right-hander from Jamaica had almost sealed the game for the visitors, smashing six sixes in his innings.
Russell batted at a strike rate of 285, which is the highest strike rate he has managed in an innings in his T20I career in which he scored more than 25 runs. This innings helped the West Indies get over the line and Russell was elated that his efforts came at a winning cause.
71* off 29 balls vs Australia, Perth, 2024
Andre Russell’s highest score in T20Is is 71* and he made that against Australia in February 2024. Russell took only 29 balls to score those 71 runs. The game was up for grabs, but Russell’s innings took the game away from the Aussies and made sure that West Indies had something to cheer about in this game.
Russell came into bat at Number 7, Russell’s 71* off 29 balls included 4 fours and 7 sixes to his name. West Indies thanks to Russell power got to 220 and eventually that proved to be enough as they won the game by 37 runs. Without Russell’s contribution, the visitors would have ended on the losing side as well. But he stepped upto the plate big time.
43* off 20 balls vs India, Mumbai, 2016
But we have saved the best for the last and despite his 71* off 29 balls being the highest score for him, his best innings came years before that. It was the semi-final of the 2016 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai against India where Russell shone through with his blistering innings. His innings broke a lot of billion hearts in India.
Chasing 193 for the win, West Indies were in a spot of bother at 116/3 in the 14th over when Russell walked in. India had just broken a big third-wicket partnership and would have wanted to latch onto the brief window of comeback. But Russell had other ideas.
The big Jamaican powerhouse silenced the home fans and the team with his pyrotechnics. He thumped 4 sixes and 3 fours in his knock of 43* off 20 balls. He sealed the deal for the West Indies with a maximum off Virat Kohli with only two balls remaining and went on to celebrate in front of the Wankhede crowd. West Indies went onto win the final as well and lift the crown for the second time and Russell’s role in helping that cannot be discounted.
What Lies Ahead
All eyes will be on Andre Russell when he takes the field for the penultimate time in Jamaica where the first T20I between West Indies and Australia is set to be played. Can he end his career on a high and help the West Indies win or will Australia spoil the retirement party of Andre Russell?
We shall find out soon as the T20I series starts in a couple of days time at Sabina Park, Kingston Jamaica. Two teams with different personnel battling against each other. It should be good fun watching the T20Is.
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