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"Those Guys Get Big Contracts" Andre Russell Counters Virat Kohli’s Test Cricket Comment

Akshita Patel

 Andre Russell shares his take on Virat Kohli's Test cricket importance [Source: @kohliception, @Farzi_Fan1996/X.com] Andre Russell shares his take on Virat Kohli's Test cricket importance [Source: @kohliception, @Farzi_Fan1996/X.com]

Andre Russell, one of the biggest names in T20 cricket, says he has no regrets about not playing much Test cricket. While Virat Kohli has always praised Test cricket, Russell explained that for West Indian players, the situation is different. 

Kohli won an IPL trophy after 17 years as RCB lifted the title in IPL 2025. The star Indian cricketer was overwhelmed with emotions and broke down in tears. However, when he was asked to rate the IPL win to other success stories of his career, Virat placed it five places below Test cricket.

While Kohli’s love for Test cricket is unmatched despite having retired from the format last month, Andre Russell’s point of view is completely different.

Andre Russell Explains Why Test Cricket Was Never His Path

The West Indian all-rounder, Andre Russell, is known to be a T20 giant. He has won two T20 World Cups and the IPL and is one of only 6 cricketers to have won 10 or more major T20 tournaments. 

However, he played only a single Test for the West Indies and revealed that prioritising Test cricket was never his path. Sharing his views on Virat Kohli’s comments after the IPL 2025 win, Russell opined that players from Australia, England, and India can afford to prioritise Test cricket because of huge central contracts.

“I think when you’re from India, Australia, England, those places where they look after their Test players, it’s totally different to being from West Indies. Those guys get lucrative central contracts to play Test cricket and play on the biggest stages, of course they want to play. West Indians? You might play 50 or 100 Tests and you know, after you retire, there’s not much to show for it," Russell told The Guardian.

However, in the West Indies, the situation is different. Russell said it’s not just about money, though that’s a big part of it. Players also want to support their families and live a good life. Many West Indian players end up focusing on T20 leagues around the world because they offer better financial security and more respect. 

Russell Alleges He Was Pushed Out Of Test Set-Up

Though Andre Russell hasn’t formally retired from Test cricket, he has slowly been pushed out of the scene. In the same interview with The Guardian, the all-rounder revealed that the West Indies board viewed him as a white-ball player. 

“I was basically pushed out of the Test set-up. They saw me as more of a white-ball player and that was that. I believe in Test cricket, but at the end of the day, I’m a professional. It wasn’t part of my journey. I have no regrets because it wasn’t me that turned my back," he added.

And though he loves the Test format, he has to make the right choices for his individual life career.