T20 World Cup 2024: "Narine's return could make the nation happy", says Andre Russell

Andre Russell (Pic: File Pic)

Sunil Narine who is having a great run in the IPL 2024 is firm with his decision to not come out of retirement, but his teammate Andre Russell believes that he is the "missing puzzle" in the West Indies squad. Russell also believes that Narine reversing his decision would make the whole country happy.

Narine pulled the curtains on his international career in 2023 and represented WI for the last time in 2019. The veteran has showcased his skills with the bat and ball in the IPL 2024.

"I'm so happy for Sunil to be honest. I think getting close to 500 runs is no joke, being a premier bowler that is going to look to bowl four overs and has 16 wickets under his belt in this season as well, that just goes to show the true all-rounders in him," Russell said on Star Sports Cricket Live.

So far, Narine has amassed 482 runs and has delivered blistering starts for Kolkata Knight Riders in the power-play. With the ball, the mystery spinner has bagged 16 wickets with an economy of 6.90.

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KKR came victorious against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2024 qualifier one. With this, they secured the final berth of the season where they await the winners of qualifier two between SRH and Rajasthan Royals. The qualifier two will take place on May 24, followed by the final on May 26.

Earlier, Sunil Narine made it clear that the doors of international cricket are now closed for him ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. The global showpiece will be hosted by the West Indies and the USA. But Russell made one final plea.

"Yeah, I definitely think so, I was trying to get in his head before the squad announced for like two weeks straight. (Sherfane) Rutherford and I tried to talk to him and say just for this World Cup, then you can retire do whatever you want to do."

"Though he's the missing puzzle, I think he made his decision and I respect his decision as well, as a big man and as a player that do well. I think if he could change that decision the whole West Indies would be happy," the Jamaican big-hitter said.

The last time, KKR travelled to Chepauk they suffered a batting collapse against the Chennai Super Kings and were restricted for a below-par 137/9. CSK won the match by seven wickets with 14 balls to spare. Russell hoped to use conditions well this time by bowling more cutters and not yorkers much.

"I think Chennai is a big ground, kind of a weird condition, you don't know what to expect. The last time we played there against Chennai, the wicket looked good. I didn't expect the wicket to play the way it did."

"It was on the slower side, but when you look at CSK's bowling attack, they bowl well on that wicket. They use the wicket well, so I think it's good to have that experience going into the finals.

"We know how we need to bowl, utilise our cutters, and try not to go for yorkers and those sorts of things. It's the type of pitch and ground where you can bowl into the wicket, even in the death overs. We have to go about it as smartly as possible, taking it one game at a time.

"I think when the time comes, we've been adjusting well as a bowling unit. If the wicket is a bit slow, we can use power cutters but not be too predictable. I'm there to help the youngsters as well. These guys are interested in learning, and that's the best thing," added Russell.

Struggling with knee injuries for a while, Russell is now spending more time at the gym. "I am just more disciplined and trying to do the things that are uncomfortable a bit, that's actually in terms of going to the gym, and trying to do it every other day and trying to get my legs stronger because I've been struggling with knee injuries for the last couple of years and sometimes you take a lot of things for granted.

"When thousands and millions of fans worldwide watching games, seeing you not performing or getting injured, I think it's not good and I look into myself and I think me and the gym, we are the best friends, so I think that's why I'm more fit in this season."

(With PTI Inputs)