Nicholas Pooran Announces Retirement from International Cricket

Nicholas Pooran, the dynamic left‑handed wicket‑keeper batter from Trinidad & Tobago, has announced his retirement from international cricket at age 29 (June 9–10, 2025), choosing to focus entirely on franchise T20 leagues.

📊 Career Highlights

• International span: 2016–2024 (ODIs & T20Is).

• ODIs: 61 matches, 1,983 runs, average 39.66, with 3 centuries and 11 fifties.

• T20Is: 106 matches, 2,275 runs (West Indies’ all-time T20I top scorer), 13 fifties, 149 sixes (5th most in T20Is).

🏏 Ridicu­lous Franchise Record

• IPL 2024: Scored 499 runs for Lucknow Super Giants at a strike rate near 178 and retained for IPL 2025, bought for ₹21 crore.

• IPL 2025: Blazing power-hitter—an 18‑ball fifty vs SRH and 7 sixes off Abhishek Sharma in one innings.

• Majors in Major League Cricket: MI New York's Player of the Season with 137 off 55 in the final.

🎙️ In His Own Words

“After much thought and reflection, I’ve decided to announce my retirement from international cricket… This game we love has given and will continue to give so much… Wearing that maroon … was a privilege I will always hold close to my heart.” 

His decision follows a similar exit by South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen and fuels debate on T20 leagues’ impact on international cricket

🌍 What's Next?

• Pooran is not retiring from cricket—he’s doubling down on T20 franchise commitments (IPL, MLC, ILT20, CPL, SA20, etc.) 

• He recently skipped the England T20I series to rest after a full IPL season.

• Despite stepping away from international duty, he remains a passionate supporter of West Indies cricket.

⏯️ Legacy & Fan Impact

• He leaves behind a “maroon legacy” as one of the most explosive and dependable batsmen for the West Indies. His retirement comes just eight months before the 2026 T20 World Cup, sparking discussions on balancing international pride and lucrative league careers.

Here are Nicholas Pooran’s top career innings across international and franchise cricket, showcasing his explosive talent and match-winning abilities:

🔥 1. 137 off 55 balls – MLC Final 2023 (MI New York vs Seattle Orcas)

Tournament: Major League Cricket Final
Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium, Texas

• Chased down 184 almost single-handedly.

• Hit 13 sixes, 10 fours – highest individual score in MLC history.

• Won the Player of the Final & Tournament.

• One of the most dominant T20 innings on U.S. soil.

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💥 2. 108 off 55 balls – West Indies vs Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI 2021

Venue: Antigua

• Anchored a successful chase of 275.

• Scored at a strike rate of 196, with 7 fours and 10 sixes.

• First ODI century for West Indies.

• A defining moment in his 50-over international career.

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💣 3. 77 off 39 balls – IPL 2020 (Kings XI Punjab vs Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Venue: Dubai

• A one-man show in a losing cause.

• Hit 7 sixes, including three in a single over.

• Stood out when the rest of the team collapsed.

• Marked his arrival as a big hitter in the IPL.

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🔥 4. 75 off 26 balls – IPL 2023 (LSG vs RCB)

Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

• Came in at No. 6 with LSG in trouble chasing 213.

• Smashed 5 fours and 8 sixes, including a 19-ball fifty.

• Turned the game around in just a few overs.

• Won Player of the Match in a dramatic last-ball win.

📊 Bonus: Fastest IPL 50 (18 balls) – IPL 2024

Opponent: Sunrisers Hyderabad

• Blazed to a 50 off 18 balls, hitting 7 sixes off Abhishek Sharma in one over.

• One of the fastest fifties in IPL history.

• LSG fans erupted as he nearly broke Yuvraj Singh's six-sixes record.