Sunil Narine announces retirement from international cricket
West Indies spinner Sunil Narine has announced his retirement from international cricket on Sunday, November 05. Narine played 65 ODIs, 51 T20Is and 6 Tests for West Indies and scalped 165 wickets across formats. The 35-year-old was also a part of West Indies’ 2012 T20 World Cup winning campaign.
“I appreciate it has been over four years since I last played for West Indies but today I am announcing my retirement from international cricket. Publicly I am a man of few words but privately there are a few people who have given me unwavering support throughout my career and helped me realise my dream of representing West Indies and to you I express my deepest gratitude,” Narine was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
“I would like to acknowledge and thank Cricket West Indies, the coaching staff, passionate West Indies fans and of course my teammates who enabled me play at the highest level, in all formats and with some memorable successes,” he added.
The cricketer has confirmed that he will continue to play franchise cricket around the world. Narine made his international debut during the third ODI against India in December 2011 in Ahmedabad. He broke into the limelight during 2011 Champions League T20. Then, he went on to play an important role in Kolkata Knight Riders’ triumphant campaign in IPL 2012. During the season, Narine finished as the second-highest wicket taker of the tournament scalping 24 wickets in 15 innings.
Sunil Narayan last played for West Indies in 2019
In T20 World Cup 2012, he finished as the joint third-highest wicket taker with nine wickets to his name from seven innings at an average of 21 and an economy of 7.93 helping West Indies to clinch their first-ever T20 World Cup.
After experiencing several highs in his year over the next three years, his career came on the line. He was banned from bowling in international cricket in November 2015.
However, he was cleared to bowl again in April 2016 but could only play handful of matches for West Indies. His last appearance in international cricket came during the third T20I against India in August 2019. Two years later, the mystery spinner wasn’t considered for the West Indies squad for the 2021 T20 World Cup as he failed to meet the required fitness standards.
