Shock announcement: Nicholas Pooran retires from international cricket at 29

Dubai: Nicholas Pooran was still smashing sixes in the Indian Premier League (IPL) last month. Now, he’s done with international cricket.

At just 29, West Indies’ most prolific T20I batter has retired from the international stage, drawing the curtain on a nine-year career that saw him captain the side, rewrite records, and wear the maroon with pride.

The Trinidadian represented the West Indies 167 times, scoring 1,983 ODI runs at an average of 39.66 and a strike rate of 99.15. While he never played a Test match, Pooran bows out as the most capped West Indian in T20 Internationals with 106 appearances — and their leading T20I run-scorer with 2,275 runs. His final match for the West Indies came in December 2024.

“After much thought and reflection, I’ve decided to announce my retirement from international cricket,” Pooran wrote in a statement on Instagram.

“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.”

He added: “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.”

Pooran first represented the West Indies at the 2014 U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup before making his senior debut in 2016 in a T20I against Pakistan. His ODI debut followed in 2018, and he was part of the squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

He was named vice-captain for the 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup and went on to lead the side in both white-ball formats for six months in 2022, including the team’s underwhelming T20 World Cup campaign that year.

Cricket West Indies confirmed his decision in a statement:

“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.

"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.”

Pooran’s retirement comes just days after he asked not to be considered for West Indies’ ongoing white-ball tour of England. With more than eight months to go before the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, the decision is a significant blow to the 2016 champions.

The 29-year-old recently lit up the IPL with explosive knocks for the Lucknow Super Giants, but said stepping away from the international game was “very difficult”.

“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.

Pooran’s final appearance for the West Indies came in an 80-run loss to Bangladesh in Kingstown. Despite the result, it marked the end of a distinguished international career that delivered over 4,200 runs across formats — including three ODI hundreds and 11 fifties.