Following an extraordinary display of batting prowess by Sunil Narine, scoring his maiden T20 century with 109 runs for Kolkata Knight Riders, West Indies T20 captain Rovman Powell is making a compelling case for Narine to come out of retirement and represent the West Indies in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The World T20 is scheduled from June 1-29 in the Caribbean and the United States of America.
Powell’s Rajasthan Royals clinched a thrilling victory over Narine’s Kolkata Knight Riders by two wickets at Eden Gardens on Tuesday, but it was Narine’s exceptional century that captured attention and reignited discussions about his international comeback.
Just days ago, Narine had been adamant about watching the T20 World Cup from home after announcing his retirement from international cricket in November 2023.
However, his post-match remarks on Tuesday hinted at a potential change of heart.
“It is what it is, but let’s see what the future holds,” Narine stated when asked about reconsidering his retirement decision after his stellar performance.
Powell, determined to sway Narine’s decision, disclosed his ongoing efforts to convince the seasoned cricketer to return to the West Indies squad.
“For the last 12 months, I’ve been whispering in his ears, but he’s blocked out everyone,” Powell revealed. “I’ve asked Pollard, Bravo, Pooran. Hopefully, before they select the team, they can crack his code,” Powell revealed.
Powell’s persistence underscores the value Narine could bring to the West Indies team, especially in a high-stakes tournament like the T20 World Cup.
Narine’s experience, coupled with his remarkable skills showcased in domestic leagues, makes him an enticing prospect for Powell and other team selectors.
As Powell and his counterparts continue to advocate for Narine’s return, cricket fans eagerly await Narine’s final decision, which could have significant implications for the West Indies’ T20 World Cup campaign.
Will Narine heed Powell’s call and make a dramatic comeback to international cricket?
Only time will tell as the tournament approaches and team selections are finalized. (SportsMax)
