PORT OF SPAIN — Star West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran on Tuesday
stunningly announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 29
without specifying any reasons but insisted that "much thought and
reflection" had gone into taking the call.
Lucknow Super Giants' Nicholas Pooran plays a shot during
the IPL 2025 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow
Super Giants, in Lucknow, Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (PTI Photo/Kamal Kishore)
His decision came days after he opted out of selection
for the T20I series against England.
The swashbuckling left-handed batter finished as West
Indies' most capped T20I player with 106 matches and also its highest
run-getter, with a tally of 2275 at an average of 26.14 and strike rate of
136.39. In 61 ODI appearances, he scored 1983 runs at an average of 39.66 and
strike rate of 99.15.
"After much thought and reflection, I've decided to
announce my retirement from international cricket," Pooran, a former West
Indies white-ball captain, wrote on his social media pages.
"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," said the Trinidadian who made his
international debut in 2016 in a T20 International match.
"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," he said.
Pooran had recently opted out of selection for West
Indies' T20I series against England after playing the full Indian Premier
League (IPL) season for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
He hasn't featured in ODIs since West Indies' exit in the
2023 World Cup Qualifiers. His last match for West Indies was against
Bangladesh at Kingstown in December 2024.
"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 the
journey with me. Your belief and support carried me through it all," he
wrote.
"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."
A regular in the franchise circuit, Pooran is expected to
feature in the Major League Cricket (MLC) and The Hundred this summer. Apart
from the Caribbean Premier League and the IPL, he is also a regular in the
ILT20 in the UAE.
He had a magnificent season in 2024, hitting the most
sixes in a calendar year (170) before finishing IPL 2025 with 524 runs at a
strike rate of 196.25 with five half-centuries.
He was expected to be a key part of West Indies' plans
for the T20 World Cup early next year, before Tuesday's shock announcement.
Cricket West Indies lauded Pooran for his outstanding
contribution to Caribbean cricket.
"Nicholas officially informed the leadership of his
decision to retire from international cricket, bringing to a close a
significant chapter in his career," it said.
"A world-class player and a game changer, Nicholas
leaves the game as the most capped West Indian...His performances on the field
and influence within the team have made a lasting impact on West Indies
cricket.
"We salute his achievements and thank him for the
moments he has given fans across the region and beyond. We wish him all the
very best in the next phase of his journey."
