The Humble Beginnings in Trinidad and Tobago
In the cricketing capital of Trinidad and Tobago, a place where cricket is a lifestyle and an island way of life, Nicholas Pooran began his cricket journey as many other West Indies greats do; bat in hand, dreams in his heart and a cult following of dramatists, who oozed charisma. From the run-down wickets of Couva to making crowds go wild on the biggest stages, Pooran was only starting “to write his chapter” and the story was an unforgettable one.
A Star Emerges: U-19 World Cup Breakthrough
Pooran is now 29 years of age, born on October 2, 1995, and from an early age, he was always spoken about as a unique talent. Coaches and teammates had all agreed that something was special about him, not only was his clean hitting infectious to watch but his calmness under pressure was what separated him from everyone else. Pooran played age group cricket for Trinidad and Tobago and then came the 2014 ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup, and everyone knew about his flamboyant ability.
At the World Cup, Pooran announced himself on the world stage with an incredible 143 against Australia U-19, and such raw ability has warmly stuck with fans and commentators alike, recollecting it as one of the best innings to be played at U-19 level in history.
A setback That Almost Ended Pooran’s Career
However, just as things were starting to roll, life delivered a full-on blow to Pooran. A terrible car accident back in 2015 left Pooran with injuries, requiring several surgeries and a long spell off the game. Many wrote him off as a cricketer as he had done nothing yet, but he proved to be cut from tougher cloth. He came back with aplomb; not just coming back to cricket, but coming back fitter and hungrier.
Climbing Back Up: The CPL and Franchise Cricket Years
His domestic performances, particularly in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), were electric. Pooran was a natural T20 star, his timing, creativity and ability to put his foot down made him an exciting asset for franchise cricket. It didn’t take long for him to earn that attention from worldwide T20 leagues, and before long, Pooran found himself playing the T20 globe, from the Pakistan Super League to the Bangladesh Premier League.
Wearing the Maroon: Poorans International Career
Pooran made his international debut in a T20I against Pakistan for West Indies back in 2016. However, at the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, he really made his presence felt as an undeniable class act in a struggling West Indies side. Pooran was a bright spark for West Indies, and a shining star when he scored 118 against Sri Lanka, showing calmness, aggression and ability, demonstrating that Pooran wasn’t just a T20 hitter, but a class all-format batsman. From then on, he became an integral part of the West Indies white-ball team.
Pooran by the Numbers: International Cricket Stats
At the international level Nicholas Pooran has played 61 One Day Internationals, scoring 1,983 runs at an average of around 39, including 3 hundreds and 11 fifties. Pooran has been even more influential at the T20 International level, playing in 106 matches, and scoring 2275 runs at an average of 26, and strike rate of around 141 with 13 fifties. A Test career for Pooran, became stagnated as West Indies began to focus their attention on limited-over formats; however, he was recognised as one of the best batting talents from the Caribbean since the days of Brian Lara and Chris Gayle.
IPL Stardom: Pooran the Finisher
There is so much to Pooran’s career in the IPL, an entire volume could be filled with his stories. He was picked up by the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2019, and in his first full season in 2020, he unloaded with 353 runs at an impressive strike rate against the format of 169. While he fell off slightly in 2021, his skill was never in question. His following years playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad, and later with Lucknow Super Giants, demonstrated a talent for swinging the match back his way in just a few overs.
IPL 2025: A Season to Remember
However, it was in the 2025 IPL season where Pooran distinctly reminded the world who he is. Playing for the Lucknow Super Giants, he was an integral part of the team and campaign, scoring 412 runs in 13 innings at a phenomenal strike rate at 168.50, and included three fifties. His match-winning 71 off 32 balls versus the Mumbai Indians was one of the standout innings of the tournament, and a delight to watch, filled with sixes, reverse scoops, and the poise of a man who has done it a million times before.
Through his performances, he didn’t only propel LSG to the playoffs of the tournament, he also re-established himself as one of the most dangerous middle-order batters in the world.
The Retirement Bombshell: June 10, 2025
That’s why when he suddenly announced his retirement on June 10, 2025, at age 29, it was a lightning bolt to everyone in the cricketing world. Pooran posted a personal video to social media that, with a nod to COVID-19, included family as the biggest motivation. There was no controversy or scandal just a person who had decided to leave the international stage while still at the top of his game.
West Indies Cricket Loses a Leader and a Match-Winner
For West Indies cricket it was a bitter pill. Here was a player who had the opportunity to usher in a new era of cricket, a player that had even captained the team in white ball cricket and had impressed with his vision and maturity to lead a youthful, rebuilding team. Another Caribbean cricket superstar, lost to early retirement, in a region that loses so many international players because of the lure of T20 leagues.
Supporters around the world paid tribute. Social media outlets exploded with highlights from some of his most remarkable innings—his raging hitting, stylish flicks over mid-wicket, and that mischievous grin that appeared every time he beat a bowler by skill rather than brute force. Cricketing minds contemplated the “what ifs” of it all—what if Pooran had played Tests, what if he had continued until the 2026 World Cup, what if West Indies had a team built around him?
A Legacy of Fireworks and Finesse
Regardless of unanswered questions, there is one thing we are sure of: Nicholas Pooran made an impact on cricket. Off the international stage, but with franchise leagues always opening their arms, fans should not be done with witnessing the magic of Nicholas Pooran in the IPL, CPL, and in other leagues around the world.
Farewell, Nicky P: The Caribbean’s Timeless Talent
Nicholas Pooran’s story is one that we hear of talent, resilience, and grace. He overcame life-threating injury to become a household name in world cricket. He excited the fans and frustrated the bowlers, and every time he ran onto the field millions would rejoice. His early retirement is a loss; but maybe it should also be seen as a celebration of great performances of the greats, and holidays while they are alive—whether that be for a moment or for a decade.
Thank you, Nicky P. The Caribbean will miss you. The cricket world will never forget you.
You can also read our blog on retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test Formats below:
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