Nicholas Pooran, one of the West Indies’ most exciting white-ball cricketers of the modern era, has announced his retirement from international cricket at just 29 years old.
Pooran Drops the Bombshell
In a heartfelt post on social media, Pooran opened up about his decision:
“After much thought and reflection, I’ve decided to announce my retirement from international cricket… 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.”
Just last year, he played his 100th T20I and spoke about dreaming of playing “100 more.” So, when a player with that kind of commitment and passion suddenly calls it quits, it naturally raises eyebrows.
The Franchise Effect?
Let’s be honest: Pooran’s retirement isn’t happening in isolation. It’s part of a growing trend where players are prioritizing franchise cricket over international commitments, often for financial security and longer playing careers.
Just recently, we saw Heinrich Klaasen, South Africa’s middle-order rock, retire at 33. Prior to him, Marcus Stoinis, the Aussie all-rounder, also called time on his international journey at 35.
And now, it’s Pooran. These players were still performing at their best and had alot to offer, but they quit early to play more franchise cricket.
A Career That Burned Bright
Nicholas Pooran made his T20I debut in 2016 against Pakistan and later earned his ODI cap in 2019. His rise was rapid, his talent unquestionable. He was handed the white-ball captaincy in 2022, but following a forgettable T20 World Cup campaign in Australia, he stepped down.
Still, he remained a core part of the West Indies’ setup — especially in T20s. In fact, he’s the most-capped T20I player in West Indies history with 106 matches under his belt.
Let’s look at the numbers:
- T20Is: 106 matches, 2275 runs, Avg. 26.14, SR 136.39
- ODIs: 61 matches, 1983 runs, Avg. 39.66, SR 99.15
Why Now?
Pooran hadn’t officially announced a retirement from either format prior to this. But in hindsight, signs were there — he opted out of the England T20Is and hadn’t played an ODI since the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers, where West Indies’ early exit was a low point.
Still, it felt like he had more to give. So, this announcement caught most fans — and perhaps even teammates — off guard.
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