Truly flattered and humbled: Sunil Narine announces his final decision on T20 World Cup participation
Updated - 23 Apr 2024, 12:03 PM
Kolkata Knight Riders star Sunil Narine has taken a final call on his participation in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. Speculations were rife that the spinner might don the West Indies jersey again for the marquee event after his stellar performance with both bat and ball in the ongoing IPL 2024.
Sunil Narine has not played international cricket since 2019 and announced his retirement in November last year. West Indies T20I captain Rovman Powell recently said that he had been trying to convince the senior spinner to come out of retirement for the T20 World Cup.
"For the last 12 months, I've been whispering in his (Narine's) ears, but he's blocked out everyone. I've asked [Kieron] Pollard, [Dwayne] Bravo, [Nicholas] Pooran. Hopefully, before they select the team, they can crack his code," Powell said after Sunil Narine scored a sensational century against Rajasthan Royals last week.
Sunil Narine takes final decision:
Sunil Narine, on Monday night, confirmed that he won't be coming out of retirement to play for West Indies in this year's T20 World Cup. The 35-year old said that while he has been flattered and humbled by the requests to play the T20 World Cup, he won't reverse his retirement decision.
Taking to Instagram, the KKR star stated that he has made peace with his decision and will be supporting the team from home. Sunil Narine said that he has closed the door on his international career before stating that he will be supporting the guys who have worked hard in recent times and deserve to represent the team in the World Cup.
"I hope this message finds you all well and in good health. I am 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."
"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 over 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," said Narine.
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Sunil Narine's international career:
Sunil Narine represented West Indies in all the three formats in international cricket between 2011 and 2019. He played six Tests, 65 ODIs and 51 T20Is for the Caribbean outfit. The star spinner was a key member of the West Indies team that won their first T20 World Cup in 2012. He picked up nine wickets in that competition. Overall, he picked up 165 wickets in international cricket.
Sunil Narine in IPL 2024:
Sunil Narine has been in brilliant form with both bat and ball in IPL 2024. He is KKR's leading run-scorer this season. In seven games, he has scored 286 runs with the help of his maiden T20 century and one half-century. He is also KKR's joint-leading wicket-taker and has taken nine wickets so far.
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