New Delhi: The recent retirement of Nicholas Pooran has raised eyebrows. At just 29, stepping away from his international career has triggered questions: why now? In a season that saw many star cricketers stepping away from international cricket, Pooran joins the list.
India’s Rohit Sharma stepped away from Test cricket in early May, followed by Virat Kohli’s decision to step away from the red-ball format. These moves are impactful but didn’t come as a complete surprise as both stars have been part of Indian cricket for over a decade, with Rohit making his debut in 2013 and Kohli in 2011. They have retired from Tests at 38 and nearly 37, respectively, but will remain available for the ODI format.
The next in the queue is Australia’s all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who took the decision to step aside from ODIs and focus on T20 while South Africa’s Heinrich Klassen announced to quit all white-ball formats intentionally. For Maxwell, it was quite expected as his journey has injury scars but Klassen’s retirement at just 33 left many surprised when he recently dropped the bombshell that he has stopped caring about his performances and whether the team won or not- a place no athlete wants to be in. Steve Smith also announced his retirement from the ODI format earlier in March following Australia’s semi-final loss at the Champions Trophy.
Pooran’s retirement stands out even more because the left-handed batter made the decision at 29. Over the years, he has been a key player for the West Indies since his debut in 2016, especially in the T20 format. He even set the first half of IPL 2025 alight with his explosive ball-striking for Lucknow Super Giants.
He has played 61 ODIs and 106 T20Is, and as the top run-scorer for the Caribbean side in T20Is, he has amassed 2,275 runs at a strike rate of 136.39, making him the cornerstone of the team’s white-ball future. He even captained them previously, and now his absence leaves a big void in a team that’s already been struggling for consistency.
The pull of franchise leagues
Pooran’s decision highlights a trend that’s been simmering for years- the growing influence of T20 franchise leagues worldwide. The financial security and opportunities these leagues offer can be hard to ignore, especially for players from boards with a history of administrative issues like the West Indies. Pooran’s exit signals that this trend isn’t slowing down; it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Cricket boards need introspection
It’s easy to criticise players for chasing money or calling them ‘mercenaries’ but that’s not the point. Cricket is their profession, their way of earning a living and pride and patriotism alone don’t pay the bills. Administrators need to ask themselves tough questions about whether they are doing enough to make players want to represent their countries. Have they created an environment that values players beyond their performances?
The bigger picture
Pooran’s retirement is more than a personal decision, as it’s a reminder of the bigger challenges being faced by not just players but also international cricket. If boards fail to adapt and support their players soon, more stars could walk away, leaving fans and the sport itself worse off.
The recent examples of Klaasen and Pooran are alarm bells warning of the shifting sands beneath the game. If the cricketing fraternity doesn’t address these issues sooner rather than later, many more players will hang up their boots. It’s time the cricketing world treated these warning signs with the urgency they deserve.
Nicholas Pooran’s shock retirement at 29 exposes cricket’s fragile ecosystem. Is franchise lure stronger than national pride? Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
