PSL 6: Andre Russell feels bubble life has taken a toll; grateful to be still playing

West Indian T20 superstar who would soon be turning out for Quetta Gladiators in Pakistan Super League’s sixth edition, feels that bubble life is taking a toll on him. The Jamaican has been jumping bio-bubbles while travelling ever since cricket started post-pandemic.

"I think it's taking a toll on myself," Russell said in an interview to Geo TV from his hotel quarantine in UAE.

"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,” added the 33-year-old.

Having represented the Kolkata Knight Riders in the recently postponed Indian Premier League 2021, the Jamaican is back for PSL and would go back to play international cricket for his team in July and August before playing the Caribbean Premier League. Russell would then once again return for the IPL’s UAE leg in September. Several players across the world have pulled out of tournaments citing bubble fatigue, but Russell on the other hand says that he is rather grateful.

"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 said.

One of the most travelled T20 players and in the elite list of all-rounders with 6000 runs and three hundred T20 wickets, the right-hander is not new to the heat of UAE. Yet he is worried about playing this time because the situation is different.

"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 condition and fully acclimatised," he said.

"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,” added Russell who has previously represented Islamabad United and Multan Sultans in the competition.

Even after such difficulties, the Caribbean spirit of entertaining people is still intact in Russels as he concluded saying, “We are professionals, so we have to condition our minds to deal with the heat and the weather."

The PSL’s Abu Dhabi league scheduled to be played in Sheikh Zayed Stadium begins on June 9.

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David Saker returns to Big Bash League as Melbourne Renegades coach

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Now you know how it feels bro: Conway greeted by skipper Williamson on historic debut hundred

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