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5 Times Andre Russell Delivered The 'Dre Russ' Magic In West Indies Jersey

Soumyajit Dutta

Andre Russell [Source: @weblogic/X.com]Andre Russell [Source: @weblogic/X.com]

The thunderous era of Andre Russell in the West Indies maroon has officially drawn to a close. Following his inclusion in the squad for the upcoming T20I series against Australia, the iconic 37-year-old all-rounder announced his retirement from international cricket, marking the end of a powerhouse career that delivered two T20 World Cup triumphs. 

Russell will play his final two international matches on home soil in Jamaica before stepping aside. As we bid farewell to an international force, let's revisit five iconic performances where 'Dre Russ' electrified the crowd and truly won West Indian hearts.

1. The Pallekele Show (40 off 14 vs Sri Lanka, 2020)

Chasing 156 in the 2nd T20I against Sri Lanka, Russell unleashed pure carnage. Walking in at number five, he blitzed an unbeaten 40 off just 14 balls, smashing six sixes! His assault powered the Windies to a crushing 7-wicket win with 3 overs to spare, earning him Player of the Match and Player of the Series.

2. Securing the WT20 Final (43 off 20 vs India, 2016)

The second one on the list was the reason for the heartbreak for many Indian fans as facing India in the ICC World T20 semi-final at a packed Wankhede, Russell delivered under immense pressure. Chasing 193 for a final spot, his brutal unbeaten 43 off 20 balls (3 fours, 4 sixes), including a crucial unbroken 80-run stand with Lendl Simmons, steered the Windies to a dramatic 7-wicket victory. 

3. Lauderhill Lightning (47 off 21 vs Bangladesh, 2018)

Despite a losing cause in the T20 series finale back in 2018, Russell's individual brilliance shone against Bangladesh. Top-scoring with a ferocious 47 off just 21 balls (1 four, 6 sixes), he almost single-handedly gave the Windies a fighting total of 135/7 in a rain-affected game, again, underlying his threat with the bat.

4. Strangling Pakistan (2/15 vs Pakistan, 2014)

Russell showcased his all-around value in this World T20 group match where Men In Green struggled to breathe against him. Defending 167, his precise medium-fast bowling yielded exceptional figures of 2/15 in 3 overs. He crucially removed skipper Mohammad Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal, maintaining an economy under 5 and contributing massively to an 84-run demolition.

5. The Mirpur Masterclass (2/10 vs Bangladesh, 2014)

Coming to the last of this list, Andre Russell registered his best T20I bowling figures in this group stage clash of the T20 World Cup in 2014. In just 2.1 overs, he dismantled the Bangladesh batting, taking 2 wickets for only 10 runs at a miserly economy of 4.61. This devastating spell was instrumental in securing a dominant 73-run victory for the Windies.