[UPDATED] Sunil Narine blanks calls to return, no World Cup for ex-WI spinner

SUNIL Narine, 35, will not come out of international retirement for the 2024 T20 World Cup, which will be held in the West Indies and the US from June 1-29.

Narine has been having strong performances in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), which included his maiden T20 hundred. 

Yesterday on Instagram, Narine said, "I hope this message finds you all well and in good health. I'm truly flattered and humbled that my performances recently have moved many people to publicly express their wish for me to come out of retirement and play in the upcoming T20 World Cup."

Narine, who last played a T20 for West Indies in 2019, said he will not make himself available for selection.

"I have made peace with that decision and whilst I never wish to disappoint, that door is now closed and I will be supporting the guys who take the field in June for West Indies." 

He thinks West Indies can win a third T20 World Cup. "Guys who have worked hard over the past few months deserve to show our wonderful fans that they are capable of winning another title. I wish you all the best." 

Narine struck a blistering 109 off 56 balls for Kolkata Knight Riders on April 16 in the IPL. Playing against Rajasthan Royals, left-handed Narine slammed 13 fours and six sixes. It was not the only jaw-dropping innings he played at the 2024 IPL. 

On April 3, Narine cracked seven fours and seven sixes in his knock of 85 off 39 deliveries against Delhi Capitals. The opener has scored 286 runs in seven innings in the IPL at a healthy average of 40.85 and at a strike rate of 176.54.

He also been useful with the ball, grabbing nine wickets at an economy rate of just 7.10. Many have been impressed with his performances. 

The Prime Minister was asked if he would reach out to Narine. Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday, Dr Rowley said, "I'm not in a position to influence Narine on that. I will go as far as to say, I'd like to see the best team out on the field and if Narine is on that team, I will not have any arguments. If he comes out of retirement, as a commitment to West Indies cricket that will be great.”

President of the TT Cricket Board Azim Bassarath tried to call Narine on April 16. He was unsuccessful initially, but said he planned to continue trying.  

Bassarath was not shy in his comments, saying, “It is my intention to give him a shout and if I have to beg him to come back and make himself available to play in this tournament (I will) because this is what the people need.”

West Indies T20 captain Rovman Powell, who is also playing in the IPL, said he would welcome the return of Narine.

"For the last 12 months, I've been whispering in Narine's ears, but he's blocked out everyone," Powell said, in an ESPN Cricinfo article.

Powell asked Narine's TT team-mates to have a chat with him. "I've asked Kieron Pollard, (Dwayne) Bravo and Nicholas Pooran. Hopefully, before they select the (World Cup) team, they can crack his code."

In an interview after an IPL match, Narine was asked by IPL commentator Samuel Badree if he would consider a return to the team. "I will be watching from home, Badree," Narine said.

Narine and Badree created a formidable spin pair when they played for West Indies in the T20 team. The spinners, who made scoring difficult for batsmen, were part of the West Indies team who won the 2012 World Cup in Sri Lanka. 

In the final against Sri Lanka Narine showed his class. He was almost unplayable, grabbing 3/9 in 3.4 overs. In 51 T20 matches for West Indies, Narine picked up 52 wickets at an economy rate of 6.01.

This story was originally published with the title "Narine closes door on calls to play at T20 World Cup" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

SUNIL Narine, 35, will not come out of international retirement for the 2024 T20 World Cup, which will be held in the West Indies and the US from June 1-29.

Narine has been putting in strong performances in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), which included his maiden T20 hundred. West Indies T20 captain Rovman Powell is one of many who said he would welcome Narine's return.

On Instagram, Narine said, "I hope this message finds you all well and in good health. I'm truly flattered and humbled that my performances recently have moved many people to publicly express their wish for me to come out of retirement and play in the upcoming T20 World Cup."

But Narine, who last played a T20 for West Indies in 2019, said he will not make himself available for selection.

"I have made peace with that decision and whilst I never wish to disappoint, that door is now closed and I will be supporting the guys who take the field in June for West Indies."

He thinks West Indies can win a third T20 World Cup. "Guys who have worked hard over the past few months deserve to show our wonderful fans that they are capable of winning another title. I wish you all the best."

Narine struck a blistering 109 off 56 balls for Kolkata Knight Riders on April 16 in the IPL.