Pooran Unexpectedly Retires From International Cricket At 29
Pooran Unexpectedly Retires From International Cricket At 29
West Indies' most capped T20I Player, Nicholas Pooran, has announced his retirement from international cricket, marking the end of a career that spanned 106 T20Is and 61 ODIs, with over 4,200 runs across formats.
Nicholas Pooran, the former West Indies white-ball captain, has decided to retire from international cricket at the age of 29. He played 61 ODIs, scoring 1983 runs, and 106 T20Is, scoring 2275 runs. His decision comes as a surprise, especially since just last year, during his 100th T20I appearance, he had expressed his desire to play 100 more matches in the format.
Recently, Pooran had opted out of selection for the West Indies' T20I series against England and had not featured in ODIs since the team's exit from the 2023 ODI World Cup Qualifiers. His absence from the squad fueled speculation, but his official retirement announcement confirmed his decision to step away from the international stage.
In his farewell message on social media, Pooran thanked his fans, teammates, and loved ones for their unwavering support throughout his career. He shared his deep love for West Indies cricket and the pride he felt wearing the maroon jersey. He also expressed his gratitude for having had the opportunity to lead the team and wished the squad success in the future.
Pooran made his international debut in 2016 against Pakistan and earned his first ODI cap three years later against England. In 2022, he was appointed captain of the West Indies white-ball teams but stepped down after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign in Australia. His last match for the team was in December 2024, when he played against Bangladesh in a home series.
Despite his retirement from international cricket, Pooran remains a key figure in franchise leagues worldwide. He had an incredible 2024 season, hitting a record 170 sixes in a calendar year and delivering an explosive IPL 2025 performance, scoring 524 runs at a striking rate of 196.25. His contributions made him one of the most exciting players in T20 cricket, and he was expected to play a big role in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Pooran will continue playing in major leagues such as the MLC, The Hundred, CPL, IPL, and ILT20 in the UAE. In T20Is, he ended his career as West Indies' most-capped player and highest run-scorer, accumulating 2275 runs at a strike rate of 136.39. His ODI record is equally impressive, with 1983 runs at an average of 39.66 and a strike rate of 99.15.
Cricket West Indies acknowledged Pooran’s contributions to the sport and thanked him for the memorable moments he provided to fans. They wished him success in the next phase of his journey as he continues to showcase his talent in franchise cricket.