"Sunil Narine has blocked us.."- Rovman Powell's allegations

Rajasthan Royals (RR) all-rounder Rovman Powell made shocking remarks on Sunil Narine's future with the West Indies national cricket team. Rovman Powell stated that Sunil Narine doesn't want to represent the West Indies in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in June.

Sunil Narine has been a top performer in franchise cricket across the world in recent years. The left-handed batter last played for the West Indies in a T20I match against India in 2019. He announced his retirement from all three formats of international cricket in November 2023.

Sunil Narine scored his maiden T20 century against the Rajasthan Royals at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Tuesday, April 16. He scored 109 runs off 56 balls, including 13 fours and six maximums. KKR posted a mammoth total of 223 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs.

The spinner managed to secure two wickets for 30 runs in his four-over quota. He also took a brilliant catch to dismiss RR Skipper Sanju Samson, who scored 12 runs off 8 balls. Despite his efforts, the Shreyas Iyer-led team suffered a two-wicket loss on the final ball of the match.

I've Been Whispering In Sunil Narine's Ears - Rovman Powell

Speaking after the match, Rovman Powell, the West Indies T20I captain, revealed that he has been trying to convince Sunil Narine to come out of his international retirement.

"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.

Rovman Powell played a quickfire cameo for his team during the run chase. The right-handed batter scored 26 runs off 13 balls, including one boundary and three sixes. He added a crucial partnership with Jos Buttler when his team was in a challenging position at 121-6 in 12.2 overs.

Powell scored four and two sixes off Sunil Narine on the first three balls of the 17th over. However, he was dismissed on the fifth ball of the over, leaving the team needing 46 runs off the last three overs. Jos Buttler finished the match without any contributions from the tailenders.

The Moral In The Team Is Very Good - Rovman Powell

Rovman Powell praised the team management for their clear communication even when he was not playing. Powell disclosed that he asked Kumar Sangakkara about batting higher up the order, given his experience with the West Indies.

"The morale in the team is very good, even when I am not playing the communication has been very good and as an international player, I really appreciate when the communication is precise and clear. The guys are in good space and long may that continue," he said.

"I told them, 'hey, I bat at No. 4 or 5 for West Indies and if you think West Indies is a good T20 side, then you can push me up the order. We have got a few days off now and I will keep ringing it in their (the management) ears."