Nicholas Pooran, one of the most dynamic and sought-after T20 batters in world cricket, has announced his retirement from international duty with the West Indies at the age of 29.
The Trinidadian, who has represented the West Indies in 167 matches across formats, has opted to step away from the international arena to prioritise his commitments in the global franchise circuit. Pooran is currently contracted to the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and is also set to feature in both Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States and The Hundred in England this summer.
Cricket West Indies confirmed the news on Monday, extending their gratitude to the left-hander for his contributions to Caribbean cricket.
“We salute his achievements and thank him for the moments he has given fans across the region and beyond,” read a statement from the board. “We wish him all the very best in the next phase of his journey.”
Pooran did not feature in the ongoing T20I series against England, having chosen to rest following his IPL campaign. At the time, West Indies captain Shai Hope said his absence would not affect future selection — although it is now clear that Pooran had made his decision to retire.
His departure marks one of the most significant moves yet in a growing trend of players prioritising the financial and professional stability of franchise cricket over international commitments. Only last week, South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen made a similar announcement.
Pooran’s T20I record is particularly notable: he is the most capped West Indies player in the format with 106 appearances and is also the nation’s leading run-scorer with 2,275 runs. He last turned out for the West Indies in December 2024, during a T20 series against Bangladesh. His final ODI came in July 2023, and he has never played Test cricket.
Pooran’s explosive batting and inventive strokeplay made him a fan favourite and a key figure in the West Indies’ limited-overs set-up. His retirement, at a time when he is still very much at the peak of his powers, will no doubt reignite debate about the future balance between international cricket and the franchise game.
For now, Pooran’s focus will shift entirely to the global T20 circuit, where his talents remain in high demand.