Unexpected Goodbye: 29-Year-Old Star Player Suddenly Announces Retirement, Fans Left Heartbroken

New Delhi(The Uttam Hindu): In a surprising turn of events that has left fans around the globe in shock, West Indies wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran has announced his retirement from international cricket at just 29 years old. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed this news on Tuesday.

Pooran took to Instagram to share an emotional message, saying, “After a lot of thought, I’ve made the tough decision to retire from international cricket. Wearing the maroon jersey, standing for the anthem, and giving my all on the field has meant everything to me.” He also expressed that being the team captain was a privilege he will always treasure. This announcement comes on the heels of South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen also stepping away from the game, marking yet another significant exit of a top wicketkeeper-batter from the international scene.

Pooran made his debut on the world stage early, representing the West Indies in the 2014 U-19 World Cup, and he first appeared in T20Is in 2016, followed by his ODI debut in 2018. He was part of the squad for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup and took on the role of vice-captain during the 2021 T20 World Cup. In 2022, he led the West Indies in both white-ball formats. Renowned for his aggressive left-handed batting style, Pooran played 61 ODIs, amassing 1,983 runs at an average of 39.66, which includes 3 centuries and 11 half-centuries. In 106 T20Is, he scored 2,275 runs at an average of 26.14, with 13 fifties to his name.

In his farewell message, Pooran expressed gratitude to fans, teammates, family, and supporters, highlighting how their encouragement helped him navigate both the highs and lows of his career. While he steps back from international cricket, Pooran is expected to continue his journey in T20 franchise leagues around the world.