Bubble Life Has Definitely Taken A Toll On Me: Andre Russell

Star West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell has opened up on the exhaustive life of staying in the bio-bubble. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted all the cricketing boards to create a bio-secure bubble to keep the players within it, preventing them from contracting the virus. Andre Russell asserted that the bubble life had taken an intense toll on him, having spent consistently in it over the last few months.

Players including Eoin Morgan and Jofra Archer have raised concerns in the past regarding an extended stay in the bio-secure bubble. Under its guidelines, the cricketers have to stay within the confines of the bio-bubble and cannot breach it, provided they have the required permission. Indian captain Virat Kohli also acknowledged that mental health management would be a norm in the future, given the additional mental stress players have been in due to the bubble.

Andre Russell, who is currently preparing for PSL 2021 in Abu Dhabi, which will host the rest of the tournament, revealed that moving from one bubble to another continuously has taken a mental toll on him. The Jamaican underlined that the drawbacks are that one cannot go out for a walk, to certain places, or to socialize. Nevertheless, the seam-bowling all-rounder admitted that he remains grateful they have an opportunity to play even though it’s challenging to do so.

“I think it’s taking a toll on myself. I can’t talk for any other player, or coaches or anyone that goes through this whole quarantine stuff. But it’s definitely taken a toll on me mentally because from bubble to bubble, in a room locked in, you can’t go out for a walk, you can’t go certain places, you can’t socialise, it’s different. But at the end of the day, I’m not being ungrateful, I’m grateful that we’re still playing, we’re still doing our job. So it’s tough for us. But even though we prepared for it, it still takes a toll,” Russell told Geo News.

I have played in hot conditions before: Andre Russell

Andre Russell, part of the Quetta Gladiators, highlighted that he has played in hot conditions before. However, the 33-year old conceded that it will be challenging this time as the players have to get accustomed to the conditions as soon as they complete the quarantine. Hence, Russell stated that since they only have a few practice sessions before playing, it would be tough. He claimed that the day games would consist of searing heat, while the night wouldn’t be as bad.

“I have played in hot conditions before. But I was in competition, playing games, having proper net sessions and back and forth, getting used to the conditions and fully acclimatised. However, in this case, it’s going to be a bit different where we are in quarantine and then we just gonna get out and have a few practice sessions and then go straight into the games. The night won’t be as bad as the day games but if it’s a day game, we just have to be up for the challenge. We are professionals, so we have to condition our minds to deal with the heat and the weather,” he added.

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