Well, nobody saw this one coming. Just days after IPL 2025 wrapped up, Nicholas Pooran retired from international cricket, and fans across the world are still trying to make sense of it. At just 29 years old and in arguably the best form of his life, the West Indies famous cricketer suddenly decided to hang up his international boots. The question on everyone’s mind: Why now?
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Why Nicholas Pooran Retired from International Cricket：IPL Money Talks
Pooran didn’t spell it out in his farewell note, but let’s be honest , the writing’s on the wall. The rise of T20 leagues, especially the IPL, has been a game-changer. This season, Pooran suited up for the Lucknow Super Giants and lit it up, crossing the 500-run mark for the first time in an IPL season and smashing a tournament-high 40 sixes. Not bad for someone whose team didn’t even make the playoffs! With that kind of performance, and the massive revenue from IPL, it’s easy to see why a player might choose this route over the grueling, lower-paying international circuit.
A Star the West Indies Couldn’t Afford to Lose
Let’s not forget just how important Pooran was to West Indies cricket. In T20Is, he was the leading run-scorer for the Men in Maroon with 2,275 runs at a strike rate of 136.39. He’s the only West Indies player to break the 2,000-run mark in T20Is. Add to that his 61 ODIs, where he racked up nearly 2,000 runs with three centuries, not to mention his brief stint as captain.
Nicholas Pooran opens up his secret sauce 🗣️🏏
More ➡️ https://t.co/dbsEcujQLs pic.twitter.com/hVq9Xhn5UL
— ICC (@ICC) March 28, 2025
In short, Nicholas Pooran retired from international cricket while still being one of the most impactful players his country has produced in recent years. It’s a heavy loss, especially when the team is trying to rebuild its white-ball credibility after missing the 2023 World Cup.
Pooran bhaiyya ka bhaukaal 😎🔥 pic.twitter.com/kG1Yu2zwer
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) May 28, 2025
Nicholas Pooran’s Retirement：A Trend, Not a One-Off
Cricket West Indies responded with grace, thanking him for his contributions, but there’s no doubt this is a blow. The departure of this West Indies famous cricketer isn’t just about one individual — it’s part of a growing trend. Just ask Heinrich Klaasen from South Africa. He also said goodbye to international cricket this year after an impressive IPL 2025 season with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Klaasen didn’t mince words: he cited financial reasons and called out the uneven revenue split from the ICC. Like Pooran, he made it clear that the revenue from IPL and other T20 leagues made the choice almost inevitable.
What This Means for the Future？
As fans, it’s tough to watch beloved players step away at their peak. Pooran’s departure sends a message — one that boards, fans, and the ICC can’t ignore. Players aren’t just chasing glory anymore; they’re chasing stability, security, and yes, the big bucks. And when revenue from IPL dwarfs what players get for representing their country, it’s no wonder that careers are being redefined.
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We’ll always remember how Nicholas Pooran retired from international cricket, not with a slump or a slow fade, but with fireworks and sixes, at the top of his game. Whether this is the new normal or just a phase, one thing’s for sure: international cricket has a growing problem, and it’s wearing an IPL jersey.
