Nicholas Pooran, aged just 29, has stunned the cricket world by announcing his retirement from international cricket. The explosive left-handed batter, who has carried the maroon jersey with pride since making his debut in 2016, made the surprise announcement on June 9, Monday.Â
After nearly a decade in West Indies colours and 167 matches across formats, Pooran has decided he won’t don the maroon again.
Notably, Nicholas Pooran played 106 T20Is, more than any other West Indian and scored a total of 2,275 runs in the format, which is also the highest by a West Indian. He featured in 61 ODIs and amassed 1,983 runs, including three centuries and 11 fifties.
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Nicholas Pooran Walks Away from West Indies in His Prime
Pooran burst on to the international scene after representing West Indies at the Under-19 World Cup in 2014, followed by his T20I debut in September 2016 against Pakistan. His ODI debut arrived in February 2019 versus England, and by July 2019 he had notched his first ODI century against Sri Lanka in the 2019 World Cup.
In 2022, Pooran took the reins as white-ball captain. However, the West Indies were knocked out of the 2022 T20 World Cup in the first round, so he decided to step down.Â
He last played for the West Indies in a T20I versus Bangladesh in December 2024.
Pooran took to Instagram Monday night and informed about his retirement. His retirement post read:
"After much thought and reflection, I've decided to announce my retirement from international Cricket. 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 thanked his family, teammates and fans, and made it clear that while this chapter in international cricket was ending, his love for West Indies cricket would never fade.
"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. To my family, friends, and teammates - thank you for walking this journey with me. Your belief and support carried me through it all," he added.
It must be noted that Pooran is not disappearing from cricket. Far from it. He will continue to be a part of the franchise leagues across the globe, where he remains one of the most sought-after players.
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Is International Cricket Losing Its Grip?
Pooran is not alone. South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen also recently quit international cricket in his prime. Glenn Maxwell retired from ODIs.
These decisions came out of the blue. But there is a bigger picture here. Seasoned professionals have begun turning their backs on international cricket. The question isn't just who’s next, but what’s changing?
