[UPDATED] Windies scout on Pooran's retirement: The signs were there

FORMER West Indies fast bowler Tony Gray, who is now a scout for Cricket West Indies (CWI), said the signs were there that Nicholas Pooran may have been thinking about retiring from international cricket.

Pooran, 29, shocked Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and the world by retiring from international cricket on June 9.

He made the announcement on Instagram.

"After much thought and reflection, I've decided to announce my retirement from international cricket," he said.

Pooran, who made his T20 debut for West Indies in 2016 and One-Day International debut in 2019, is one of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket.

The T20 format is where he made a name for himself around the world. Pooran leaves the game as the most capped West Indian in the format with 106 matches and the leading scorer with 2,275 runs at an average of 26.14.

His ODI statistics were even more impressive. In 61 ODIs, he scored 1,983 runs at an average of 39.66.

The left-handed batsman reflected on what playing for West Indies meant to him. "This game we love has given and will continue to give so much – joy, purpose, unforgettable memories, and international memories, and a chance to represent the people of the West Indies. Wearing that maroon, standing for the anthem, and giving everything I had each time I stepped on the field...it's hard to put into words what that truly means to me. To have led the team as captain is a privilege I will always hold close to my heart."

Gray said, "Most people will be very shocked. I am also very shocked at the retirement."

He said Pooran has been absent from the West Indies team, especially in the ODI format. "I don't think he was motivated to play for West Indies in recent times. He has not played ODIs for the last two years or so," Gray said.

Pooran last played an ODI in July 2023 against Sri Lanka and last put on the maroon in a T20 contest in December 2024 against Bangladesh.

He made himself unavailable for the T20 series currently taking place against England, asking for rest following the 2025 Indian Premier League. At the end of 2024, he was also unavailable due to personal reasons for a T20 series against Sri Lanka.

Gray said he is not in Pooran's shoes and is not sure what his mindset is. "To each his own. He has a young family. He has been playing (a lot) of cricket. He said he was tired from the IPL."

He still feels Pooran has a lot left in the tank. "He is obviously financially sound because he has made a lot of money in IPL and leagues around the world, but I still feel that he should have given more of his talent to West Indies cricket, but we don't know what is happening personally with his life...so we have to respect a man's decision."

Gray said players must find the balance between securing their family's future, while still being loyal to the people that aided their development. "You have to look back and understand the system that built you...the system that built you to what you are today, you have to show a sense of balance. Not only look for your family's financial foundation, but a sense of gratitude must be shown to the system that built you."

Former West Indies spinner Samuel Badree, who now does commentary around the world, said, "Very sad news...fans around the Caribbean would no doubt be disappointed that they won't see him in maroon again, including myself."

Badree said he respects Pooran's decision, saying the cricket calendar has become so "saturated" that decisions like these are becoming more common, especially with a family to spend time with.

The former highly-rated spinner is hoping one day Pooran will have a change of heart. "I want to wish him and his family well and who knows, maybe someday he will come out of retirement."

Former West Indies manager Omar Khan, who worked with Pooran as the Guyana Amazon Warriors team manager for years in the Caribbean Premier League, said West Indies have lost a great player.

"Nicholas Pooran has to be considered one of the greatest white-ball players in the world coming from the Caribbean...a huge loss for West Indies. I am lost for words."

Khan said Cricket West Indies must find a way to keep players motivated to play for West Indies.

"At the end of the day, I still feel West Indies cricket (CWI) need to spend time and have meaningful dialogue with their players. We all know the West Indies economy does not provide the kind of contractual payments that an England, India or Australia player may get...when the West Indies players get opportunities to play franchise cricket, it is a huge difference in terms of the amount of money they get for West Indies, as oppose to playing franchise cricket."

Khan said he is proud of what Pooran has done off the playing field as he has sponsored cricket camps for youngsters.

CWI extended its "sincere gratitude and appreciation to Nicholas Pooran for his outstanding contributions to West Indies cricket."

The release further said, "We salute his achievements and thank him for the moments he has given fans across the region and beyond. We wish him all the very best in the next phase of his journey."

This story was originally published with the headline Nicholas Pooran, 29, retires from international cricket and has been updated to include additional details. See original post below.

NICHOLAS Pooran, 29, has announced his retirement from international cricket.

Pooran, who recently asked for rest following the 2025 Indian Premier League, made the announcement on Instagram, on June 9.

"After much thought and reflection, I've decided to announce my retirement from international cricket," he said.

Pooran, one of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket, made his T20 debut for West Indies in 2016 and One-Day International debut in 2019.