West Indies star wicketkeeper-batsman Nicholas Pooran has surprisingly announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket. This decision has come as a significant shock to the cricketing world.
Nicholas Pooran Retirement: Another shining star of West Indies cricket has abruptly left the field. Nicholas Pooran, who was in spectacular form for the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025 and whose aggressive batting often stunned opposition teams, announced his retirement from international cricket late Monday night, leaving the cricketing world astonished.
The 29-year-old Pooran made the announcement via an emotional Instagram post, leaving fans and cricket analysts stunned. This decision comes at a time when he was in excellent form in the IPL, and discussions were underway about his return to major tournaments like the T20 World Cup.
Pooran Retires from All International Cricket Formats
Pooran played 106 T20 Internationals, 61 ODIs, and a limited number of first-class matches for the West Indies throughout his career. While he never fully established a Test career, he cemented his position as a T20 specialist in limited-overs cricket. His retirement announcement created further ripples following the recent retirement of South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen from international cricket. The departure of these two explosive batsmen is considered the end of an era, coinciding with cricket's gradual shift towards a franchise-dominated landscape.
Pooran's Statement: Time to Change the Direction of My Dreams
In a lengthy message on Instagram, Nicholas Pooran stated, "After much thought and reflection, I have decided to retire from international cricket. Wearing the maroon jersey has been an honor. It wasn't just a color; it was a responsibility and an emotional connection." He further wrote, "I tried my best to serve my country. From becoming team captain to my last match, every moment taught me something new. Now I want to focus my attention on franchise cricket and my family."
Pooran specifically thanked his fans in his post. "You stood by me through thick and thin. You accepted me even after defeats and proudly celebrated my victories. I am also grateful to my family, friends, and all my teammates. You always gave me your trust."
Pooran's International Career at a Glance
- T20 Internationals: 106 matches, 2275 runs, 13 half-centuries
- ODIs: 61 matches, 1983 runs, 3 centuries, 11 half-centuries, 6 wickets
- First-class: 5 matches, 319 runs
- List-A: 98 matches, 3048 runs
He is one of the West Indies' highest run-scorers in T20 cricket. His strike rate and boundary-hitting ability have given him a unique position in T20 cricket.
Pooran's Explosive Performance in IPL 2025
Nicholas Pooran played a crucial role for the Lucknow Super Giants in the recently concluded IPL 2025. He scored 524 runs in 14 matches, including 5 half-centuries. His most memorable innings was against RCB, where he smashed 60+ runs in just 24 balls, leading his team to victory. In his IPL career, Pooran has scored 2293 runs in 90 matches, thrilling audiences with his batting.
Although Pooran has said goodbye to international cricket, he has made it clear that he will remain active in franchise cricket. It is highly likely that he will continue to feature in the IPL, Caribbean Premier League, Big Bash League, and other T20 leagues in the coming years.
