'Jab Musibat aate hai, Tab Ghar hi sahara bante hai' - Fans react as Andre Russell is willing to sacrifice franchise contracts for West Indies cricket

West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell is currently playing in the ongoing inaugural season of the Major League Cricket 2023. He is representing the subsidiary franchise of the Kolkata Knight Riders, Los Angeles Knight Riders. Russell plays for every Knight Riders franchise (Kolkata, Trinbago, Abu Dhabi). The 35-year-old last played for the West Indies during the T20 World Cup 2021. The Jamaican wasn't considered for the last year's tournament.

Apart from this, the two-time T20 World Cup winner last played ODI cricket during the World Cup 2019. Since then, he is yet to play in the format and won't be playing the format as his side has been ruled out of the World Cup. Meanwhile, the Manchester Originals player in The Hundred has said that he is willing to play for the Maroon Brigade in the T20 World Cup 2024.

"I am available. I want to be a part of the next World Cup so that would be something special to me if they can add me to the squad," he told the Jamaica Observer.

Willing to play a couple of series to make myself available: Andre Russell

The former Delhi Capitals player added that he is willing to play bilaterals before the next year's tournament.

"I am willing to play a couple of series to make myself available. I am not just going to turn up and say I want to play at the World Cup from nothing at all.

"I know how everything works; I know I have to sacrifice a couple leagues in order to play for West Indies. I am willing to do that and try to give them the best chance in the World Cup, and whatever I can contribute in whatever area, I am willing to do it," Russell emphasised.

Russell further added that he wasn't asked to play in the upcoming against India in the five-match T20I series.

"There is an India series coming up that I would want to be a part of but no one has said anything to me and I am just minding my own business. I am just doing what I am doing — still training hard," he added.

T20 World Cup 2024 will be jointly hosted by Cricket Windies and USA Cricket Association.

This is how Twitter reacted

after wasting peak years for franchise cricket, now he wants to play for WI

— Sultan Khan (@MainHoonSultan7) July 18, 2023

Russell be like pic.twitter.com/uutfwtbLaB

— Ash (@Ashsay_) July 18, 2023

In 2024 , finished player.
Even now his form is pathetic no where to near peak of 2016-19

— Satya P Singh(spbtctrade) (@spsinghweb) July 18, 2023

Russel be like pic.twitter.com/uWXT3hejxU

— Ash (@Ashsay_) July 18, 2023

Russell knows his Importance in Leagues are going to decrease as he's becoming Non Performing Asset day by day !

It's his brand value what has still made him Relevant among the current big names!

— Tanmoy Chakraborty🩺⚕️ (@Tanmoycv01) July 18, 2023

When he was in form, He stopped playing for West indies.
Now he is struggling with his form,and he is ready to play for WI.

Hence prove that Jab Musibat aate hai, Tab Ghar hi sahara bante hai, dosto ka ghar nehi

— Santosh (@SmpPhukan) July 18, 2023

Unpopular opinion :-
Russell post 2019 is just a liability on any team, can't rely on his batting or bowling and fitness has gone down the drain
Most of them times he makes runs in losing causes which helps in him having decent numbers till now.

— Raazi (@Rg86037221) July 18, 2023

He needs to be. Probably, the team needs him. A hard hitting mentality. But, Russell needs to get back his known game for that...✍️

— Shirsha Bhattacharyya (@Shirsha_18) July 18, 2023

Bro probably knows kkr is gonna give up on him next year

— Anubhav.. (@Awwnoob) July 18, 2023

But the board should give him the money he will be losing from franchise cricket, that will be his counter offer to play for the country.

— Nilesh Pandit (@nileshp1981) July 19, 2023

But he is finished now

— Pranay#Missing 17 × 17 (@SinoArtrialNode) July 18, 2023

Every Caribbean Player Story:
At my peak: Playing Franchise Cricket
At my ending stage: Prefer my Country

— Salman (@salmankashif07) July 18, 2023