Andre Russell excited to share the dressing room with Dinesh Karthik

Andre Russell is undoubtedly one of the most exciting all-rounders in world cricket at the moment and is one of the most sought-after cricketers in the shortest format of the game.  However, in January 2017, he was found guilty of violating the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) guidelines and was banned from all forms of cricket for one year. 

He has made a successful comeback this year as he played domestic cricket in West Indies before traveling to Dubai for the PSL. Playing for the Islamabad United though, Russell’s tournament was cut short by a hamstring injury. However, he is now fit and ready to go.

Despite missing out the entire IPL last season, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) retained Russell this year showing their enormous trust in his abilities. The West Indian all-rounder joined the KKR pre-season camp recently and is excited to play alongside new skipper Dinesh Karthik. 

“(I am) excited to work with him. I have played against him. I will be sharing the dressing room with him and taking his instructions. It should be interesting,” Russell was quoted saying by Hindustan Times. 

During his recovery time, Russell has also trained with Usain Bolt’s sports therapist Everald ‘Eddie’ Edwards and claimed to be in the best of forms. 

“Eddie used to be Usain Bolt’s physio. We all know Bolt is the fastest man in the world, I am the second (laughs) so yeah like to be anywhere close to his fitness, you need guys like Edward around you. He is my personal physio,” the 29-year-old all-rounder revealed. 

Russell also revealed that he is working hard to become a better athlete. 

“It’s been tough to be honest. You want to do things but you can’t. You restrict yourself from doing it to be a better player, to be a better athlete and person. Like a lot of partying, drinking you know all those bad habits. I am not saying I am perfect, but I am working on it and it’s been treating me well. I am looking fit,” the Russell added.