Nicholas Pooran, one of the leading T20 batters worldwide, has announced his retirement from international duty with the West Indies at the age of 29. Pooran is dangerously well-known for his four- and six-hitting abilities. With a remarkable 106 appearances he has already etched himself into cricket’s annals as the most capped West Indian player in T20 internationals. His decision is a tremendous personal sacrifice and a great day for West Indies cricket. He’s not quitting the game entirely, leaving the international stage to join highly profitable franchise leagues.
Originally from Trinidad, Pooran last played for the West Indies in December 2024, when he featured in a T20 series against Bangladesh. Most importantly, he had already withdrawn from the current T20 series with England in order to focus on rest. Over the course of his abbreviated international career, Pooran has performed at a high level in 167 appearances for the West Indies. He is the team’s highest run-scorer in T20 internationals, having crushed 2,275 runs at a strike rate of 143.34. What he has done for our sport is priceless. Joining the party the past few years, he’s garnered acclaim for his high-octane performances across leagues, most notably with the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Cricket West Indies thanked Pooran for his service and highlighted his contributions to the sport. The organization stated,
“We salute his achievements and thank him for the moments he has given fans across the region and beyond.” – Cricket West Indies
Pooran’s Monday retirement announcement was the first sign that he was looking to change his priorities, with a greater focus on franchise cricket. This shift will free him up to focus more on future opportunities, namely on tours or leagues where the financial incentive is much larger.
He has not featured in One Day Internationals (ODIs) since July 2023 and is absent from Test cricket. Beyond his show-stealing batting, Pooran is an influential fielder and wicketkeeper in T20s. His controversial decision to retire from international cricket has sparked passionate debates among fans and analysts alike. Today they find themselves thinking deeply about the very future of West Indies cricket.
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