ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):
IN A shocking move that has left the cricketing world in disbelief, West Indies star T20 batsman Nicholas Pooran yesterday announced his retirement from international cricket at the tender age of 29.
Pooran, who recently returned to Trinidad following his stint in the Indian Premier League where he was the 11th-highest run scorer, dropped the bombshell in an emotional farewell on his Instagram page.
The hard-hitting left-hander, whose last match for the West Indies was against Bangladesh in a T20I in December last year, described it as a difficult decision.
“After much thought and reflection, I’ve decided to announce my retirement from international cricket.
“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,” Pooran wrote.
“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.”
Pooran also used the opportunity to thank his family, friends, teammates and fans for their support throughout his nine years representing the West Indies.
“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,” Pooran said.
“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.”
In a press release issued soon after his announcement, Cricket West Indies thanked Pooran for his “outstanding contribution to West Indies cricket”.
“Cricket West Indies extends sincere gratitude and appreciation to Nicholas Pooran for his outstanding contributions to West Indies cricket.
“Nicholas officially informed the leadership of his decision to retire from international cricket, bringing to a close a significant chapter in his career,” the statement read.
“A world-class player and a game changer, Nicholas leaves the game as the most capped West Indian in T20 Internationals with 106 matches and the leading T20I run scorer with 2,275 runs. 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,” the release further added.
The astonishing announcement comes on the heels of a record-breaking 2024 for Pooran, where he scored the most T20 runs in a calendar year.
His 2,331 runs, scored at an average of 40, eclipsed Mohammad Rizwan’s T20 record for a calendar year of 2,036, which had been set in 2021.
Pooran, who overtook Chris Gayle to become West Indies’ leading T20 scorer, also hit the most sixes in a calendar year in T20 cricket, breaking Gayle’s previous record of 135 sixes set in 2015 by smashing it over the boundary ropes 139 times.
In his 106 T20Is, Pooran scored 2,275 runs at an average of 26.14 with 13 half-centuries.
He also played 61 ODIs, scoring 1,983 runs at an average of 39.66 with three centuries and 11 half-centuries.
In all, Pooran played in 398 T20s, scoring 9,166 runs, striking three centuries and 56 half-centuries.
After making his T20I debut against Pakistan in 2016, Pooran’s international breakthrough came in late 2018, when he hit his first half-century for West Indies off just 24 balls against India in Chennai.
From there, he was parachuted into the World Cup squad and given an opportunity as West Indies’ number four, despite limited experience in 50-over cricket.
In that tournament he hit 50s against England and Afghanistan, plus a thrilling hundred against Sri Lanka, and finished the tournament with an average of 52.47 and a strike rate of 100.
