'I'll be looking like a UFC fighter in T20 World Cup': West Indies all-rounder's garners attention for unique comment

West Indies cricket star Andre Russell has set ambitious fitness goals for himself, aiming to be in peak physical condition, akin to a UFC fighter, by the time the T20 World Cup arrives next year. Russell's commitment was vocalized following his significant contribution to West Indies’ series victory over England, where they secured a 3-2 win in the fifth and final T20I.

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In a post-series interview with TNT Sport, Russell emphasized the importance of the series win for the West Indies team, especially after their recent setback of not qualifying for the ODI World Cup in India. He believes that triumphing over the reigning T20I World champions has provided a substantial boost to the team's morale.

"I'll be in better shape, to be honest: I'll be looking like a UFC fighter. This series win means so much. It [makes me] want to push myself to the limit. have a lot of cricket to play and that's good. When you're playing cricket and in competition, your body is active and you're not just sat at home waiting for the World Cup. We are definitely going to give some teams a good, good run for their money in the World Cup," said Russell.

Russell, who has been a veteran in international cricket, acknowledged the continuous pressure that comes with the sport. Despite this, he is putting considerable emphasis on his recovery and fitness, which he sees as crucial to his performance. In the just-concluded T20I series, Russell showcased his prowess by finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker, claiming seven wickets across five matches.

"Fans won't know that, but I still get the pressure and the backlash and all of that. It just makes me stronger. I love my Caribbean fans and I know they are passionate about the game, and when we're messing up, they will be on our backs. I want to make sure that I do the necessary recoveries, drink a lot of coconut water and get my body right - massages, and all of that. That's what I did to really be able to come in the last game, bowl three overs for 30-odd runs [37] - and then today was exceptional from all the bowlers," Russell added.

Before he takes the global stage at the T20 World Cup, Russell is set to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL), representing the Kolkata Knight Riders. The IPL season is scheduled to commence in March next year, offering Russell another platform to display his cricketing skills and to prepare for the international tournament later in the year.

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