Nicholas Pooran Retires
West Indies’ T20I Run-Scorer Steps Away at 29
In a surprising move, Nicholas Pooran, West Indies’ leading run-scorer in men’s T20 internationals, has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 29.
The explosive left-handed batsman and wicket-keeper made the announcement through social media, stating that after careful consideration, he was stepping away from international cricket to focus on franchise opportunities around the world.
“After much deliberation, I’ve decided to step away from international cricket. This wasn’t an easy decision but I believe it’s the right time for me. I’ll continue being an advocate for West Indies cricket and hope to contribute in other ways.”
Pooran’s retirement comes as a shock to many cricket fans, as he was expected to be a key player for West Indies in upcoming tournaments. He finishes his international career as West Indies’ highest run-scorer in T20Is with 2,275 runs in 106 matches.
International Career At A Glance
| Format | Mat | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20Is | 106 | 2,275 | 98 | 26.14 | 136.39 | 0 | 13 |
| ODIs | 61 | 1,983 | 118 | 39.66 | 99.15 | 3 | 11 |
| Tests | 5 | 319 | 69 | 31.90 | 67.44 | 0 | 2 |
Complete International Statistics
T20I Career (Batting)
| Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 106 | 97 | 10 | 2,275 | 98 | 26.14 | 136.39 | 13 | 152 | 149 |
ODI Career (Batting)
| Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | 58 | 8 | 1,983 | 118 | 39.66 | 99.15 | 3 | 11 | 157 |
Fielding Records
| Format | Catches | Stumpings | Dismissals |
|---|---|---|---|
| T20Is | 63 | 8 | 71 |
| ODIs | 23 | 2 | 25 |
| Tests | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Bowling Statistics
| Format | Wkts | BB | Ave | Econ | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 6 | 4/48 | 29.00 | 6.17 | 28.1 |
| Tests | 1 | 1/3 | 3.00 | 3.00 | 6.0 |
Global T20 League Statistics
Indian Premier League (IPL)
| Teams | Mat | Runs | HS | SR | 50s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Teams | 90 | 2,293 | 67* | 168.97 | 14 | 167 |
Teams: Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants
Caribbean Premier League (CPL)
| Teams | Mat | Runs | HS | SR | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Teams | 114 | 2,447 | 102* | 152.27 | 3 | 13 |
International League T20 (ILT20)
| Team | Mat | Runs | HS | SR | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MI Emirates | 31 | 1,010 | 66* | 156.58 | 7 |
Major League Cricket (MLC)
| Team | Mat | Runs | HS | SR | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MI New York | 15 | 568 | 137* | 151.06 | 1 |
Other League Performances
| League | Team | Runs | SR | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh PL | 3 Teams | 712 | 137.45 | 76* |
| SA20 | Durban SG | 86 | 159.25 | 60* |
| Big Bash | Melb Stars | 127 | 159.33 | 65 |
| Vitality Blast | Yorkshire | 122 | 184.84 | 67 |
Career Highlights & Legacy
International Achievements
- West Indies’ all-time leading run-scorer in T20Is (2,275 runs)
- Memorable 118 against Sri Lanka at 2019 World Cup
- 13 T20I fifties with highest score of 98
- 71 dismissals as wicketkeeper in T20Is
- Remarkable comeback after career-threatening 2015 car accident
“Nicholas Pooran has been one of the most exciting talents in West Indies cricket. His ability to change games single-handedly made him a fan favorite worldwide.”
Franchise Cricket Impact
- IPL’s ₹16 crore signing for Lucknow Super Giants (2023)
- Scored 2,293 IPL runs at strike rate of 168.97
- 3 CPL centuries including highest score of 102*
- MLC century (137*) for MI New York
- Over 9,000 career T20 runs at strike rate of 130+
Despite retiring from international cricket, Pooran will continue playing franchise cricket worldwide, remaining one of the most sought-after T20 specialists.
