West Indies power hitter Andre Russell reveals that he had tried hard to convince Sunil Narine to come out of retirement and play the upcoming T20 World Cup. The KKR all-rounder has been in stellar form in IPL 2024 so far, playing his role as the team’s opener to perfection. Speaking about Narine’s decision to not participate in the T20 World Cup, Russell said that the West Indies team would have been happy if he did so but they respected Narine’s decision to not do so.
When Russell tried hard to get Narine to play T20 World Cup
“I definitely think so (should Narine play T20 World Cup?). I was trying to get in his head before the squad was announced. For like two weeks straight, me and Rutherford kept talking to him and told him ‘hey please, just for this World Cup, then you can retire, do whatever you want to do’. I think he has made a decision and I respect his decision as well,” Russell said.
“If he could change the decision, the whole West Indies will be happy,” concluded the all-rounder.
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Narine refuses to make U-turn in International cricket
“I’m truly flattered and humbled that my performances recently have moved many people to publicly express their wish for me to come out of retirement and play in the upcoming T20 World Cup. I have made peace with that decision and whilst I never wish to disappoint, that door is now closed and I will be supporting the guys who take the field in June for West Indies,” Sunil Narine wrote
“Guys who have worked hard for the past few months and deserve to show our wonderful fans that they are capable of winning another title – I wish you all the best,” he concluded.
Narine last featured for West Indies back in 2019. However, it was last year in 2023 where he announced of his decision to retire for International cricket. And now despite the World Cup taking place in West Indies, the ace all-rounder has no chance of making a comeback.