Sunil Narine, the West Indian cricket sensation, has officially announced his retirement from international cricket after an illustrious eight-year career. His last appearance for the West Indies was in a T20I match back in August 2019. The announcement was made by Narine himself on Instagram, where he expressed his gratitude towards those who supported him throughout his remarkable journey.
Narine’s journey to international stardom began in 2011 when he grabbed the spotlight during the now-defunct Champions League T20 while representing Trinidad & Tobago. Later that same year, he made his international debut in an ODI, marking the start of a captivating career. Over the years, he participated in a total of 122 international matches, including six Tests, 65 ODIs, and 51 T20Is.
One of the most memorable highlights of Narine’s international career was his pivotal role in helping the West Indies secure their first T20 World Cup title in 2012. This triumph was historic as it marked the West Indies’ first World Cup victory across formats since 1979. Narine’s exceptional performance, featuring nine crucial wickets in the competition, played a significant part in this remarkable achievement. He went on to participate in one more edition of the T20 World Cup, in 2014.
Since 2012, Narine has become a familiar face in the Kolkata Knight Riders squad, solidifying his reputation as a T20 cricket icon. His presence in various T20 leagues worldwide, such as the Indian Premier League (IPL) with KKR, the International League T20 in Abu Dhabi, the Caribbean Premier League with Trinbago, and Major League Cricket in Los Angeles, has become a routine part of his cricketing life. Additionally, he is actively involved in the Hundred Men’s competition with the Oval Invincibles and continues to participate in leagues like the Big Bash League, Pakistan Super League, and Bangladesh Premier League.
Narine’s international career had its share of challenges, particularly when he was first reported for a suspect bowling action in 2014. This report led to his withdrawal from the ODI World Cup in the subsequent year and had an impact on the frequency of his international appearances.
Now at the age of 35, Narine’s focus turns towards achieving success in domestic cricket and adding more trophies to his collection. As he bids farewell to international cricket, his remarkable contributions to the game will be remembered, and his legacy as a T20 cricket icon remains intact.
