By Zainab Shafiq 
In a heartfelt move that surprised fans and cricket circles alike, Nicholas Pooran retires from international cricket at just 29 years old. The former West Indies white-ball captain announced his decision on social media, marking the end of a promising yet turbulent international journey. Pooran retires from international cricket having played 61 ODIs and 106 T20Is, amassing 1983 and 2275 runs respectively.
Pooran’s sudden departure comes less than a year after he played his 100th T20I, a milestone where he expressed hopes of playing 100 more. Though he had skipped the recent T20I series against England and hadn’t played an ODI since the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers, the announcement still caught many off guard, especially given his dominant form in franchise cricket, including a record-breaking 2024 where he smashed 170 sixes, the most in a calendar year.
Nicholas Pooran retires after a stellar career from captaincy highs to franchise stardom
Pooran’s international debut came in 2016 against Pakistan in the UAE, and he quickly rose through the ranks to become one of West Indies’ key limited-overs players. In 2022, he took over as white-ball captain but stepped down after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign in Australia. Despite leadership challenges, his talent with the bat never wavered. In 2025, he piled up 524 runs in the IPL at a blistering strike rate of 196.25, reaffirming his value as one of the most explosive batters in the modern game.
His international retirement doesn’t spell the end of his cricket career. Pooran will continue thrilling fans in T20 leagues worldwide, including Major League Cricket (MLC), The Hundred, IPL, CPL, and ILT20. Though Nicholas Pooran retires from international cricket, his influence will remain through franchise circuits where he has built a massive following.
In his emotional farewell note, Pooran thanked fans, family, and teammates for their support, and reflected on the pride of wearing the maroon jersey. “To have led the team as captain is a privilege I will always hold close to my heart,” he wrote.
As Nicholas Pooran retires, Cricket West Indies acknowledged his contributions, stating, “We salute his achievements and thank him for the moments he has given fans across the region and beyond.”
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