Nicholas Pooran Announces Retirement from International Cricket at 29

In a surprising move, West Indies star cricketer Nicholas Pooran has retired from international cricket at the young age of 29. Pooran, who recently played in the IPL and remains a powerful T20 player, announced his retirement through an emotional note on Instagram.

Fans were shocked by the sudden announcement, especially since Pooran was still in top form and active in global T20 leagues.

Who is Nicholas Pooran?

Nicholas Pooran is a wicketkeeper-batsman known for his explosive batting style, especially in T20 cricket. He made his name through consistent performances for West Indies in white-ball formats (ODIs and T20s).

He was also the captain of West Indies’ T20 team for a short time, but he was removed after a poor run of form.

What Did Pooran Say in His Retirement Note?

In his Instagram post, Pooran wrote:

“After a lot of thought and contemplation, I have decided to retire from international cricket… Wearing the maroon jersey and singing the national anthem will always be special for me. Leading the team was a privilege I’ll always cherish.”

He added that he is thankful to fans, family, friends, and teammates for supporting him in his journey. Pooran also said that his love for West Indies cricket will never fade, even though his international career is now over.

However, he did not mention the exact reason for retiring.

Nicholas Pooran’s International Career Stats

Here’s a look at his impressive numbers:

ODI Matches: 61
ODI Runs: 1,983
ODI Average: 39.66
ODI Centuries: 3
ODI Half-Centuries: 11
T20 Matches: 106
T20 Runs: 2,275
T20 Average: 26.15
T20 Strike Rate: 136.40
T20 Half-Centuries: 13
Wickets in ODIs: 6

Pooran never played a Test match. However, he was one of West Indies’ most consistent white-ball performers in recent years.

Why Did Nicholas Pooran Retire?

While he did not clearly say the reason, many believe that he retired to focus fully on T20 franchise cricket.

This is not new for West Indies players. Several big names like:

Chris Gayle
Andre Russell
Dwayne Bravo
Sunil Narine
have also left international cricket early to earn more by playing in leagues like IPL, BBL, PSL, and others.

T20 Leagues: The Real Reason?

T20 leagues offer:

High salaries
Worldwide fame
Less travel stress
More control over schedule

Pooran is one of the most in-demand T20 players, and he can earn crores every year playing in IPL and other leagues. In the past too, he skipped some international series to play in overseas leagues.

He may have decided to make this move permanent and give up international cricket for full-time T20 stardom.

What’s Next for Pooran?

Even though he has retired from playing for West Indies, Nicholas Pooran will continue playing in T20 leagues around the world.

You will still see him in:

IPL
Major League Cricket (USA)
The Hundred (UK)
BBL (Australia)
PSL (Pakistan)

Fans will miss seeing him in the maroon jersey, but his career is far from over.

Final Thoughts

Nicholas Pooran’s retirement at 29 may seem shocking, but it reflects the changing face of modern cricket. Today, many players are choosing money and flexibility over national duty.

Pooran was a key player for West Indies, and his presence will be missed in ODIs and T20s. But his fans can still enjoy watching him smash sixes in leagues across the world.

Disclaimer: This article is based on public news sources and social media announcements. Actual future events may differ.