Nicholas Pooran: 29-year-old Nicholas Pooran retires from international cricket while continuing to be in brilliant form

West Indies batsman Nicholas Pooran has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 29 despite continuing to be in top form. Pooran is the most capped player for the West Indies in T20Is and the highest run-scorer in the format. His retirement is a major setback for a team that is looking to make a comeback in white-ball cricket after failing to qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Pooran is at the peak of his T20 cricket form. Last year, he hit the most sixes in the format (170). In the just-concluded IPL, Pooran became the first player to reach 500 runs in a season and hit 40 sixes. He is the highest six-hitter in this year's tournament.

Pooran was not selected for the ongoing tour of England and Ireland after requesting a break. Pooran, who has not played Test matches for the West Indies, made his T20 debut in September 2016. He made his ODI debut in February 2019, but has not played an ODI since West Indies failed to qualify for the 2023 World Cup.

Pooran served as the full-time captain of West Indies in limited-overs internationals in 2022. However, Pooran won only 8 of his 30 matches across both formats. Pooran stepped down from the captaincy after West Indies were knocked out in the first round of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. With just eight months to go before the next T20 World Cup, West Indies will struggle to fill the void left by Pooran in the middle order.

"The game I love has given me so much and will continue to give me so much - joy, purpose, unforgettable memories and the opportunity to represent the people of West Indies," Pooran wrote in his retirement statement on Instagram. "Wearing that maroon uniform, standing up for the national anthem, giving it my all every time I stepped onto the field... it's hard to put into words what that moment meant to me. Leading the team as captain is a privilege that I will always hold close to my heart.

"While this international chapter of my career is over, my love for West Indies cricket will never fade. I wish the team and the cricketers nothing but success and strength for the journey ahead."

"Nicholas has officially informed the leadership of his decision to retire from international cricket, bringing to an end an important chapter in his career," Cricket West Indies (CWI) said in a statement.

"A world-class player and game-changer, Nicholas is the West Indies' most capped T20 international player with 106 matches. He leaves the game as the leading T20 international run-scorer with 2,275 runs," the statement said.