Nicholas Pooran announces shock retirement from international cricket at 29
West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran shocked the cricket world on Tuesday, June 10, by announcing his retirement from international cricket at the age of 29. Pooran took to social media to share the news with his fans, describing it as a 'very difficult' decision. He bows out of international cricket having scored over 4,000 runs across 61 T20 Internationals and 106 One Day Internationals.advertisementPooran's unexpected announcement comes just days after he requested to be rested from the recently concluded white-ball series in England, following his commitments with the Lucknow Super Giants in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL). He was in blistering form for Rishabh Pant's side, amassing 524 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of nearly 200.'After much thought and reflection, I've decided to announce my retirement from international cricket,' said Pooran, a generational talent, in his statement on Instagram.
Pooran, who previously captained the West Indies in T20Is, retires with just eight months remaining until the next T20 World Cup, which is set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.'This game we love has given and will continue to give so much – joy, purpose, unforgettable memories, and a chance to represent the people of the West Indies. Wearing that maroon, standing for the anthem, and giving everything I had each time I stepped on the field... it's hard to put into words what that truly means to me. To have led the team as captain is a privilege I will always hold close to my heart. advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nicholas Pooran (@nicholaspooran)'To the fans – thank you for your unwavering love. You lifted me in the tough moments and celebrated the good ones with unmatched passion. To my family, friends, and teammates – thank you for walking this journey with me. Your belief and support carried me through it all,' he said.Pooran made his international debut in 2016 and last represented the West Indies in an ODI in July 2023. He featured in the squad for last year's T20 World Cup and played his most recent T20I for the senior national side in December 2024. He led the West Indies in 2023 matches between 2021 and 2022 in T20Is.He affirmed his continued support for West Indies cricket, stating he would remain a fan and well-wisher of the team across all formats.'Though this international chapter of my career closes, my love for West Indies cricket will never fade. I wish the team and the region nothing but success and strength for the road ahead,' he added.Nicholas Pooran now steps fully into the role of a T20 globetrotter. The explosive left-hander will continue to feature in franchise-based tournaments around the world. He was one of the highest-paid players in IPL 2025, retained by Lucknow for Rs 21 crore.advertisementHis retirement underscores a concerning trend in international cricket, particularly in the Caribbean, where a number of top talents are opting for lucrative T20 leagues over national duty. Notably, Pooran was not awarded a central contract by Cricket West Indies in 2024, when multi-year deals were handed to several leading all-format players.Only recently, South African star Heinrich Klaasen also announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 33. You May Also Like
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