In a stunning twist on June 9, 2025, West Indies wicketkeeper‑batter Nicholas Pooran announced his retirement from all international cricket at just 29, via an emotional Instagram post . Pooran exits as the West Indies’ leading T20I run-scorer, amassing 2,275 runs in 106 matches, including 13 half-centuries and a blistering 149 sixes, ranking fifth overall in the format .

Making his T20I debut in 2016 and ODI debut in 2019, Pooran also served as white‑ball captain before stepping down post‑World Cup 2022 . His final international appearances included the T20 series loss to Bangladesh in December 2024 and the last ODI against Sri Lanka in July 2023 .

While he expressed profound gratitude for representing the Maroon, Pooran emphasized he would continue his franchise T20 career, including the IPL’s Lucknow Super Giants . Fans are left reminiscing his power-packed innings and wondering how his departure reflects tensions between national and franchise cricket.