Sunil Narine issued an official statement after West Indies captain Rovman Powell’s public request to the all-rounder to unretire and play the T20 World Cup. Sunil Narine has ruled himself out of a recall to West Indies’ squad for the forthcoming T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA, insisting that “that door is now closed” despite his stellar form for Kolkata Knight Riders at the IPL.
Former West Indies all-rounder Sunil Narine has been in outstanding form in the ongoing edition of the IPL playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Given how he is batting and bowling for the Knight Riders, commentators, several former cricketers and even the current players in the West Indies side have been in Narine’s ears for coming back from retirement for the last dance, T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States. However, Narine has shut down the chances of that happening late Monday (April 22) night.
Sunil Narine’s splendid performance in IPL 2024
Sunil Narine, 35, is currently leading the tournament’s MVP standings after a remarkable run of form, including a magnificent 109 not out from 56 balls against Rajasthan Royals last week, his maiden T20 century. Sunil Narine is having his best IPL as an all-rounder. Sunil Narine has so far scored 286 runs while opening the batting for the Kolkata Knight Riders this year at an average of 40.86 scored at a stunning strike rate of 176.54. He also slammed his maiden T20 century in this edition.
He has been equally good with the ball, picking up 9 wickets in 7 matches at a superb economy rate of 7.11. Sunil Narine’s exploits with bat and ball have been one of the major reasons behind KKR’s dominating show in this IPL. The two-time champions have won five out of their seven games and stand a good chance of finishing in the top two.
Seeing Sunil Narine’s tremendous all-round show, West Indies T20 skipper, Powell, after a KKR vs DC IPL match, revealed that he has been trying to coax Sunil Narine to come out of retirement for close to 12 months now. The right-hander said he has even got in touch with Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo to convince Narine.
“I’ve asked Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Nicholas Pooran. Hopefully, before they select the team, they can crack his code,” Powell said.
I have made peace with my retirement decision- Sunil Narine.
Sunil Narine, who retired from international cricket November last year, played for the West Indies four years before in 2019 in his final appearance. The 35-year-old Trinidadian Sunil Narine , however, said he has made peace with the decision to retire and has no plans of representing West Indies in the T20 World Cup slated to begin in June this year.
“I have made peace with that decision and whilst I never wish to disappoint, that door is now closed and I will be supporting the guys who take the field in June for West Indies. Guys who have worked hard for the past few months and deserve to show our wonderful fans that they are capable of winning another title – I wish you all the best,” Narine said.
Sunil Narine last played for the West Indies in a T20I against India in 2019. In his 51 T20Is, he has picked up 53 wickets at an outstanding economy rate of 6.01. The 35-year-old, who smashed his maiden T20 century last week against the Rajasthan Royals, is currently at No 7 on the list of Orange Cap (most runs) in the tournament with three big knocks already and has been miser with the ball taking nine wickets at an economy of 7.10. Basically, Sunil Narine has been one of the main reasons behind where KKR are on the table currently.
“I hope this message finds you all well and in good health. I’m truly flattered and humbled that my performances recently have moved many people to publicly express their wish for me to come out of retirement and play in the upcoming T20 World Cup,” Narine wrote in an Instagram post.
Rovman Powell the West Indies skipper confirmed that he had asked the likes of Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and his closest friends and he himself has been pestering Sunil Narine for the last year but it wasn’t to be. Despite Sunil Narine not being around, West Indies are looking like a dangerous side for the T20 World Cup.