"This is pure greed" - Fans react to Nicholas Pooran's shocking retirement from international cricket after IPL 2025

Former West Indian captain Nicholas Pooran announced his retirement from international cricket at just 29 on Tuesday, June 10. The decision came only a few days after two other T20 white-ball stars, Glenn Maxwell and Heinrich Klaasen, walked away from international cricket in a shock to fans.

Pooran is the West Indies' all-time leading run-scorer in T20Is and the only one with over 2,000 runs, finishing at 2,275 runs in 106 games at an average of 26.14 and a strike rate of 136.39. The southpaw also boasts outstanding ODI numbers, with 1,983 runs in 61 appearances at an average of almost 40 and a strike rate of 99.15.

Pooran retires with three centuries and 24 half-centuries in his white-ball career for the West Indies.

Fans on X were divided in their views of Nicholas Pooran's international retirement, saying:

"Klaasen retiring at 33, Pooran retiring at 29. Someone needs to stand up & save International cricket."

Here are some of the other reactions:

Fans continued expressing their views on Pooran's sudden retirement, with one saying:

"Careless retirement from Nicholas Pooran 29 has just left West Indies cricket into trouble. This is pure greed."

"Nobody respects player who doesn’t play international games. Its a Big L for Pooran. Anyway happy retirement. West Indies will create bigger player than him," tweeted a fan.

"Pooran and Klaasen will find their existence hard in IPL as they aren’t intl players now. 1 poor season and boom," said a fan.

"My love for West Indies Cricket will never fade" - Nicholas Pooran on international retirement

Nicholas Pooran thanked West Indies Cricket and their fans in his retirement statement on his social media handle. The 29-year-old led the side in 40 matches across the two white-ball formats, winning 12 and losing 27.

Runs aside, Pooran also has the record for the most sixes by a West Indian batter in T20Is at 149.

A bit from his retirement statement read (via ESPN Cricinfo):

"After much thought and reflection, I've decided to announce my retirement from international cricket. This game we love has given and will continue to give so much - joy, purpose, unforgettable memories, and a chance to represent the people of the West Indies. Though this international chapter of my career closes, my love for West Indies Cricket will never fade."

He added:

"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."

Pooran's early retirement is a massive setback for the West Indies who continue to struggle across formats.