Windies All-Rounder Andre Russell to Lead Jamaica Tallawahs in CPL 2018

The Windies all-rounder, Andre Russell will lead the Jamaica Tallawahs for the upcoming edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), starting August 8.

Meanwhile, Russell has been in terrific touch in the eleventh edition of IPL for the Kolkata Knight Riders. However, he missed the last season of CPL owing to a ban imposed on him due to a doping violation.

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Russell smashed 316 runs in 2018 IPL, scoring those at a terrific strike-rate of 185. The 30-year old also bagged 13 wickets, thus emerging as one of the most valuable players of the tournament.

“It’s a good feeling, honestly, I missed out last year due to one-year suspension. I’m looking forward to it, not just looking forward to play but looking forward to being the captain for the Jamaica Tallawahs, as well and looking forward to doing a good job,” Russell said.

The swashbuckling cricketer is aiming to continue his form from IPL in the CPL too. The all-rounder admitted he has set some personal goals but refrained from disclosing it.

“I always set personal goals but I don’t let it out loud because I don’t want to say I want 20 wickets, 30 wickets and I only get 10. It’s always good to have your personal goals but I don’t like to say it out loud. Every player want to get wickets, take a lot of catches, score runs, but I have my personal goals and I just hope I can achieve them,” he added.

CPL very important to Windies

Russell mentioned how CPL means as much to Windies, as IPL does to the world. Over the years, this league has garnered massive support and is very popular among people.

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“[CPL] is very important. I think just like how passionate the guys in India are, just coming from IPL, and seeing how passionate these guys are about getting to the top four, winning the cup and looking forward to every practice session and everything. It means a lot to the local guys and I think that’s what it’s supposed to mean to us as well because once you’re in your hometown I think that’s where you want to be and it’s just going to make you express yourself a lot more,” he stressed.

Tallawahs have won the competition two times and will look to go for glory again. They have a balanced squad with the likes of Shahid Afridi, David Miller, Ross Taylor, Samuel Badree in the tank.

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In conclusion, Russell admitted he is looking forward to leading the Pakistan legend.

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