Wired868 Wired868 for smart sport news and opinion
Trinidad and Tobago cricket star Nicholas Pooran has retired from the international game at the relatively tender age of 29.
Pooran, who recently declined an invitation to represent the West Indies in a T20 series against England and Ireland, said he thought “long and hard” about his decision, but did not offer a reason for his decision.
Photo: CWI Media.
“After much thought and reflection, I’ve decided to announce my retirement from international cricket,” stated Pooran, in a statement on his social media page. “This game we love has given and will continue to give us 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.
Photo: Nicholas Pooran/ Wired868.
“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.
“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.”
The Cricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed that Pooran, who just completed the 2025 India Premier League (IPL) season with Lucknow Super Giants, officially informed the regional governing body of his decision to withdraw his services from its respective teams.
The CWI, which is led by president Dr Kishore Shallow, thanked Pooran for “his outstanding contributions to West Indies cricket”.
“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,” stated the CWI Media.
Photo: ICC/ Getty.
“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.”
Since his international debut in 2018, Pooran played 106 T20I matches for West Indies with 13 half centuries and an average of 26.14, while he played in 61 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) with three centuries, 11 half centuries and an average of 39.66.
Copyright: AP.
During that same period, Pooran played 90 IPL matches and 219 T20 games for franchises across the globe—including 114 appearances in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
He registered 14 half centuries in the IPL at a strike rate of 168.97, with an average of 34.22. And there were three centuries to go with 13 half centuries in the CPL where he averaged 28.12.
It is a tally of over 300 limited overs games in seven years.
Having suffered a potentially career ending injury in a vehicular accident as a teenager (he credited physiotherapist Dr Oba Gulston for his successful rehabilitation), Pooran made no secret of his desire to maximise his earning potential as a cricketer from an early age.
And he snubbed regional cricket for his first overseas franchise cricket stint, in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) for the 2016/17, which resulted in him being banned by the then West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).
The two parties eventually patched up and Pooran went on to represent West Indies in the 2019 Cricket World Cup, as well as the 2021, 2022 and 2024 T20 World Cups.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868.
On 3 May 2022, the CWI appointed Pooran as captain for the West Indies white-ball teams. However, after just six months, the talented left-handed batsman quit the post—in the wake of the team’s embarrassing group stage exit from the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Three years later, at just 29, Pooran has quit the team for good—with a mixed legacy of scintillating knocks and missed tours.
(Part 51.) Lloyd’s crowning glory. West Indies cricket has enjoyed many moments of celebration, but few match lifting the trophy Read more
(Part 50.) Judge by numbers. After exactly seven weeks of counting down, here we are: one day to go to Read more
(Part 48.) West Indies too good. With just three days to go to the 50th anniversary of the West Indies Read more
(Part 47.) When Guyana hailed its conquering hero It has taken the imminent occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Read more
(Part 44.) ‘Kalli’ the conqueror. There are just seven days to go to the 50th anniversary of the West Indies Read more
(Part 42.) “West Indies surely now cannot win!” Television commentator and former Australian captain and leg-spinner Richie Benaud’s crisp, precise Read more
Sad to see a talent as considerable as Pooran’s (in his prime) walk away from West Indies cricket. It probably wasn’t an easy decision. I am certain his family’s financial well being (rightly so) would’ve factored heavily in his decision making also.
I am just wondering if you put a percentage to the nuturing/and ongoing development of his skills/personal development etc from a West Indies cricket board perspective versus inputs from the various franchises he has represented, who has contributed more?
I dare say the reasons for his decision at this time may lie in the answer to these questions.
A very sad day illustrates a generational talent wasted. Never played a test.