Russell calls his 2026 semifinal knock the best of his career while terming Sabina Park as the “perfect ground” for retirement.
Andre Russell cited his century in the Mumbai semi-final of the 2016 T20 World Cup as his proudest memory from his 141 West Indies outings in the run-up to his retirement from international cricket.
West Indies needed 77 from 41 balls as Russell entered the game at No. 5 in a pursuit of 193 against tournament hosts India. Russell hit Virat Kohli over the midwicket boundary to complete the victory with two balls remaining after scoring an undefeated 43 from just 20 balls.
“Definitely [my best moment was] the 2016 World Cup, that semi-final game against India where I brought the team home, me and Lendl Simmons, and obviously the start that we got from the other batters,” Russell said in a Cricket West Indies (CWI) interview.
“Chasing 190-plus in that semi-final in India, with the crowd supporting India only, that was already a bit of pressure, but the wicket was a very good wicket, so the confidence that we had in the changing room and the batters that were left to come, it gave me the freedom and the confidence to go out and play the role that I did.”
Russell will retire from international cricket after the first two T20Is against Australia on July 20 and 22, both to be played at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica.
“It’s a pretty good feeling,” Russell said, on signing off at his home ground. “I think, [from the] first time I came to Sabina Park as a kid, and then to actually walk on the grass and feel the atmosphere and look in the stands and everything, and [to] now, I’ve achieved so much out of cricket for the last couple of years. I did my best in every chance I got, representing West Indies.
“I think it’s the perfect ground and the perfect series – against a good team as well, Australia – to end my international career. By just seeing the [social media] posts and seeing stuff going around on the internet, I get a bit emotional, to be honest, but, you know, decision already made, and I think I’ve done well enough to actually say, yes, that’s it for me towards international cricket.”