“After much thought and reflection…,” Nicholas Pooran announces shock retirement from international cricket at 29

Pooran took to social media to share the news with his fans, calling it a “very difficult” decision.

Nicholas Pooran | GettyWest Indies’ explosive batter Nicholas Pooran left the cricketing world shocked on Tuesday (June 10) by announcing his retirement from international cricket at the age of 29.

The southpaw took to social media to share the news with his fans, calling it a “very difficult” decision.

Pooran hung his boots from the international arena, having amassed over 4,000 runs across 61 T20 Internationals and 106 One Day Internationals.

Pooran’s sudden retirement call 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 IPL 2025. He was in brilliant form for LSG, scoring 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 in his statement on Instagram.

Pooran, who previously led the West Indies in the shortest format, retires with just eight months left for the T20 World Cup 2026, 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.

“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.

Nicholas Pooran made his international debut in 2016 while his last ODI appearance was in July 2023. He was part of West Indies’ T20 World Cup squad last year and played his most recent T20I in December 2024.

Pooran asserted his continued support for Caribbean 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 stated.

Nicholas Pooran now steps fully into the role of a T20 freelancer. He was one of the highest-paid players in IPL 2025, retained by LSG for INR 21 crore.

His retirement underlines a concerning trend in international cricket, particularly in the West Indies, where a number of top talents are opting for lucrative T20 leagues over national commitments.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 10 Jun, 2025

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