West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has reacted to Nicholas Pooran’s early retirement from international cricket, calling it a sign of a growing challenge to keep players motivated to represent the West Indies. Pooran, aged just 29, announced his retirement this week, just eight months ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, shocking the cricketing world.
Pooran, who never played a Test match and last featured in an ODI two years ago, is West Indies’ highest run-scorer in T20 Internationals. While he remains a top earner in global franchise leagues, his decision to walk away from the international stage has raised questions about the future of West Indies cricket.
Sammy Says More Players Could Retire Early
Sammy, who led West Indies to two T20 World Cup titles, said he had sensed this move was coming and had already started planning for life without Pooran. He revealed that Pooran informed him through a message and that he had also spoken to his agent before the announcement.
According to Sammy, he had asked Pooran if he was unavailable only for the England tour or indefinitely. Based on the response, Sammy said he mentally prepared for the worst-case scenario. He added that although he would have loved to have Pooran in the team, he respects the decision and is now focused on adjusting the team strategy without him.
Sammy also noted that Pooran’s decision reflects a broader shift in cricket, where many players are choosing franchise leagues over national duty. He pointed to the recent retirements of Heinrich Klaasen and Quinton de Kock as examples of players stepping away from international cricket at a relatively young age.
West Indies Face Bowling Crisis Ahead of World Cup
West Indies suffered back-to-back 3-0 defeats in both the ODI and T20I series against England. Pooran’s absence was clearly felt, but Sammy said his biggest concern is the team’s struggling bowling unit. The bowlers conceded 628 runs in just 58.3 overs across the T20I series, including a heavy defeat in Southampton where England posted 248 runs.
Sammy questioned whether the bowlers have the discipline and skillset to deliver under pressure. He emphasized the need to fix the bowling issues quickly, especially with the T20 World Cup less than eight months away. While the batting lineup has shown consistency, he said it is not sustainable to expect them to chase massive targets every time.
West Indies now travel to Ireland for a three-match T20I series starting Thursday. Sammy remains hopeful that with the right preparation and player combinations, the team can bounce back in time for the World Cup.