Sunil Narine and Andre Russell have been among the best players in the T20 format since its inception. Although they are coming to the tail end of their careers, they both have much to give to the game but have not been part of the West Indies set-up in international cricket for some time now.
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The current iteration of the West Indies T20 team is a shadow of the side that won the T20 World Cup in 2016. Despite possessing a sprinkling of promising players, the majority of the players have not seemed up to the mark.
When did Sunil Narine and Andre Russell last play for West Indies?
Narine last played for West Indies in August 2019, in a T20I against India. The spinner was left out of the squad for the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE due to his inconsistent form, mostly a result of him needing to revamp his bowling action after getting reported for throwing.
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Russell made the squad for the 2021 World Cup, but since playing Australia in Abu Dhabi in that tournament, the all-rounder has not represented West Indies.
Neither player was included in the squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Why are Sunil Narine and Andre Russell not playing for West Indies?
Prior to the 2022 T20 World Cup, West Indies chief selector Desmond Haynes said that he had spoken with Narine but came away from the conversation unsure whether the spinner wanted to play for the country or not.
The issues with Russell are more serious, with then-coach Phil Simmons hitting out at the all-rounder in 2022, saying, "we can't beg people to play for West Indies." Russell had participated in the IPL and The Hundred that year, while missing the West Indies' bilateral series against India and New Zealand in between.
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The KKR star responded to that statement during an interview with Darren Sammy, saying,
"I'm going to be quiet. Because at the end of the day, we had a discussion, and the discussion was very clear. So now, making me look bad, throwing me under the bus… I was expecting it. I'm going to stay quiet, Darren, to be honest.
Will Sunil Narine and Andre Russell play again for West Indies?
After taking over as white-ball coach in May 2023, Sammy stated that he intended to bring Narine and Russell back into the fold for West Indies, saying he had reached out to the pair.
As of now, any form of return has not yet materialised, but Sammy's optimism would indicate that the door is not closed for these two.
In a press conference with media today, new white ball Head Coach Daren Sammy has said that he has held conversations with Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine regarding their West Indies future
— Caribbean Cricket Podcast (@CaribCricket) May 26, 2023
Says the signs are ''encouraging'' pic.twitter.com/bSrMqgDWWf
What is next for West Indies?
After taking a 1-0 lead in the ongoing five-match T20 series against India, West Indies will be looking to put in a repeat performance in the second match on 6 August in Providence.
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