West Indies explosive all-rounder Andre Russell, who additionally performs for Kolkata Knight Riders in Indian Premier League, has vowed to reach within the 2024 T20 World Cup “looking like a UFC fighter” following their T20I sequence win over reigning champions England. The skilled all-rounder returned to worldwide cricket after two years of absence. The final time he represented the West Indies was on the 2021 T20 World Cup within the UAE. Russell was the main wicket-taker for the hosts with seven wickets within the five-match sequence and was influential with the bat as he scored at a strike fee of 169.35. He expressed his hope of returning to the crew.

“I’ll be in better shape, to be honest: I’ll be looking like a UFC fighter. This series win means so much. It [makes me] want to push myself to the limit. It means a lot, to be honest, getting the call-up to come back and join the West Indies team. I’ve been working for the last two years, waiting on a call-up,” he instructed TNT Sports as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“I’m just excited to be back and have a win, highlighting the role that Daren Sammy has played in his return. The coach has been backing me a lot. I’m so happy. I feel like I’ve won a big, big championship with just a series win, that’s how much it means to me,” he added.

Russell joined the crew instantly after enjoying within the Abu Dhabi T10 League. He said that the lengthy flight had affected his efficiency.

“I was coming from Abu Dhabi where it’s a big time difference. Flying back into Barbados I tried to stay up as late as possible to make sure that I get enough sleep so that I can [be] fresh for the game,” Russell mentioned.

“When I got to Grenada, I just couldn’t sleep. I started feeling sleepy at 6 am, which would be the time that I would sleep in Abu Dhabi. Fans won’t know that, but I still get the pressure and the backlash and all of that. It just makes me stronger. I love my Caribbean fans and I know they are passionate about the game, and when we’re messing up, they will be on our backs,” Russell added.

Coming to the sequence, West Indies clinched the primary two video games and England bounced again to win the subsequent two. With the sequence degree, the hosts outclassed England and clinched the sequence with a four-wicket victory.