Sunil Narine retires from international cricket

Sunil Narine has called time on his eight-year international career. He last played for West Indies in a T20I in August 2019.

“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,” Narine wrote on Instagram.

“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 the West Indies, and to you, I express my deepest gratitude.”

Narine came into the limelight in the now defunct Champions League T20 for Trinidad & Tobago in 2011 before making his international debut in an ODI in December later that year. He played 122 international matches, which included six Tests, 65 ODIs and 51 T20Is.

He helped West Indies to their first T20 World Cup title in 2012 – their first World Cup win across formats since 1979 – with nine wickets. He would play just one more edition of the T20 World Cup 2014.

Since 2012, Narine has been a regular fixture in the Kolkata Knight Riders squad.

He is now a familiar face in the T20 circuit worldwide, which is now “business as usual” for him in the foreseeable future.

“[My father] is ever present with me when I take to the field, and I am indebted to his support and love, which carried me through the times I questioned whether pursuing my dreams was worth it,” he wrote.

“I love representing Trinidad & Tobago, the country of my birth, and to add another title by winning the Super50 Cup will be the perfect send-off.”

The ongoing Super50 Cup will be his last in List A cricket. (ESPNcricinfo)