Nicholas Pooran Retires, Joins MLC as Captain

Nicholas Pooran, former West Indies white-ball captain and record-holding T20I batter, has retired from international cricket at age 29 without ever playing a Test match. He departs as West Indies' most-capped T20I player and leading run-scorer with 2,275 runs in 106 T20Is, as well as having scored 1,983 runs in 61 ODIs. Pooran's decision comes amid a trend of top players leaving international cricket for franchise leagues, raising concerns for boards with fewer financial resources. Immediately after retiring, Pooran was named captain of MI New York in Major League Cricket, reflecting his ongoing prominence in franchise cricket. Tributes from players such as Rishabh Pant have highlighted Pooran's significant influence on and off the field. His retirement marks a pivotal moment for West Indies cricket as it struggles to retain its top talent.