West Indies Star Nicholas Pooran Retires from International Cricket at 29

West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran sent shockwaves through the cricketing world on Tuesday, June 10, by announcing his retirement from international cricket at the age of just 29.

The left-hander shared the emotional news via social media, calling it a “very difficult” decision. Pooran walks away from international cricket after a career that spanned 61 T20 Internationals and 106 ODIs, amassing over 4,000 runs. Known for his explosive batting, he previously captained West Indies in T20Is and was seen as a generational talent for Caribbean cricket.

The announcement comes just days after Pooran opted to rest from the recently concluded white-ball series in England, following a successful IPL 2025 campaign with Lucknow Super Giants. He scored 524 runs in 14 matches at a staggering strike rate of nearly 200, helping lead Rishabh Pant’s side with dominant performances.

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

With just eight months remaining until the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, his exit is a major blow to West Indies’ plans. Pooran emphasized his gratitude for the support he received throughout his journey—from fans, teammates, and family—and said leading the national side was a privilege he would always cherish.

Having debuted in 2016, Pooran last played an ODI in July 2023 and a T20I in December 2024. Despite being left out of West Indies’ central contracts list for 2024, he remained active in major T20 leagues and was retained by Lucknow for ₹21 crore in IPL 2025.

Pooran will now continue as a T20 globetrotter, joining a growing list of West Indies stars prioritizing franchise leagues over national duty. His decision reflects broader concerns around player retention in international cricket—particularly in regions like the Caribbean where financial incentives abroad often outweigh national contracts.

“Though this international chapter closes, my love for West Indies cricket will never fade. I’ll always be a fan, cheering for the maroon with pride,” he concluded.