'Fit' Andre Russell wants to play T20 World Cup 2026: 'Why should I stop?'

Star West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell wants to continue till the T20 World Cup 2026. Speaking ahead of the series against Sri Lanka, Russell said that he has set a timeline for himself in the T20I format.

In Short

• Star West Indies all-rounder talks about his time in international cricket
• Russell says he is fit to play till 2026 T20 World Cup
• 2026 T20 World Cup will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka

Star West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell is not retiring from international cricket just yet. After failing to win the T20 World Cup 2024 on home soil, Russell said that he is eyeing the 2026 tournament, set to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Speaking ahead of the T20I series against Sri Lanka, Russell said that he is fit enough to bowl and bat the way he wants and does not see the need to call time on his international career.

The fast-bowling all-rounder recently won the Indian Premier League title with KKR. Seen as one of the greatest T20 players of all time, Russell still outshines the rest of the West Indies team in terms of being an all-round package.

T20 World Cup 2024: West Indies knocked out

The all-rounder spoke to the media ahead of the 3-match series vs SL and said that he had constructive conversations with head coach Daren Sammy about his timeline in T20I cricket.

“I’ve talked with Sammy and he said he wants me to keep playing some international cricket. And I think by looking around and seeing the talent that’s in the Caribbean, I think I’m going to push my body and push myself to play international cricket for another two years," Andre Russell

“[I] definitely want to play the World Cup of 2026 because there is a lot of talent that you know could have. I could have walked away from the game international-wise, but I just want to see the youngsters do well in terms of all-rounders. I still can hit the ball anywhere I want to hit the ball, still bowling at a good pace, still fit, can move around. I don’t see why I should stop,” Russell further added.

West Indies are currently ranked at the 3rd position in the ICC T20I ranking. The list is led by India at the top and then Australia in the second position.