West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran announced his retirement from international cricket at just 29. The decision shocked the entire cricketing world and more so West Indies cricket.
Pooran announced his international retirement on June 10, 2025. With so many T20 leagues going around the world, and the southpaw captaining in a few of them, Brian Lara said that the call was a no-brainer.
The former West Indies skipper further said that players are trying to secure their future by playing T20 cricket and more particularly in these T20 leagues. Heinrich Klaasen is another player who announced his international retirement in recent times.
Also Read: West Indies' T20I Run-Machine Nicholas Pooran Retires from International Cricket at 29
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Pretty Clear Why They Did - Brian Lara On Nicholas Pooran's Retirement Call
Brian Lara slammed the West Indies Cricket Board for failing to keep the players loyal by paying them decently for the services they are giving to the national team. Pooran played 106 T20Is and 61 ODIs scoring 4,258 international runs.
"You have a lot of guys who are deciding on what to do with their careers. You have your aggressive players like Pooran, who retired at 29. And honestly, it's pretty clear why they did. There are five or six leagues around the world, and they're able to make a substantial amount of money playing in them," Brian Lara said on 'Stick to Cricket' podcast hosted by former England players Phil Tuffnell, David Lloyd, Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook.
"I have no problem with that. The truth is, I don't think the West Indies Cricket Board or the administration has done anything meaningful to keep players loyal to West Indies cricket, unlike what boards in countries like England, Australia, or even India have done," he added.
He took the example of Kane Williamson and also hinted about Klaasen's call, citing examples of other cricketers who have followed the same path in recent times. Williamson no longer holds the central contract with the New Zealand national cricket team. He has also prioritised playing in various T20 leagues and is expected to sign a casual playing agreement instead.
"So naturally, our players are going to look elsewhere. And when you see players like Kane Williamson or even South Africans making similar choices, you understand that these guys are just trying to provide for their families" Lara added.
Also Read: Huge praise for Heinrich Klaasen as Simon Doull rates him on par with Virat Kohli
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Russell Follows Pooran's Retirement Call
Nicholas Pooran scored 524 runs for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025, thereby proving his prowess as a hard-hitting batter. He said that the call to retire from international cricket was a difficult one. His call to retire just ahead of the T20 World Cup next year leaves West Indies cricket in a major jolt, as they need time to find his replacement.
Meanwhile, recently West Indies lost a Test series to Australia at home, with the side being bowled out for just 27 runs in the second Test in Jamaica. Andre Russel has also said that he will retire from international cricket after the first two T20Is in Jamaica against Australia.
Also Read: The Big Show Leaves the Stage: Glenn Maxwell Bids Farewell to ODI Cricket
