West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell pulled out of the first two T20 Internationals against India in Florida. Russell was initially named in the squad but after picking up an injury the cricketer withdrew from the upcoming series. However, interestingly hours after pulling out of the T20Is against India, Russell for Vancouver Knights against Edmonton Royals. in a Global T20 Canada 2019 match for Vancouver Knights against Edmonton Royals.  Rohit Sharma vs Virat Kohli Battle on Cards in Opening T20I Against West Indies in Florida.

However, it was not the best of the outing for the all-rounder as he was dismissed for a first-ball duck by Ben Cutting. Also, Russell chose not to bowl during the match. Meanwhile, Jason Mohammed has replaced Russell in the West Indies squad for the first two matches of their series against India that starts in Florida, USA.

The three-match T20I series begins on August 03. The second T20I will be played at the same venue on August 04. The teams will travel to the Carribean after the first two T20Is.

Russell’s World Cup 2019 campaign was also cut short following a knee injury during the tournament. Meanwhile, Windies captain Carlos Brathwaite has defended the all-rounder. “I think he's been knocked in the press a bit because of his injury woes. And I think it's easy for us to see him hobbling around the field and just take for granted that he's injured but we can also look at it on the other side and say he can be home, he could be elsewhere and not trying to play for the West Indies,” Brathwaite was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

“And speaking for myself as captain of the T20 team and speaking for myself as Andre's friend, whenever we speak about playing for West Indies, that's always his main goal. And we've seen in the World Cup -whether he was 100% or not, it's debatable - but the fact that he wanted to be at the World Cup, wanted to pull on the shirt and wanted to perform for the people in the West Indies and his mates in the dressing room, I think, is testament to the person he is. Chris Gayle Smashes Pakistan Bowler Shadab Khan for 32 Runs in Over During Global T20 Canada 2019 Match (Watch Video).

And I think we need to start commending the fact that he actually tries to get on the park and stop lambasting the fact that he probably doesn't stay on it till the end of the 50 overs or the 20 overs,” he added.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 03, 2019 05:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).