Sunil Narine has firmly stood by his decision not to reverse his choice to participate in the upcoming T20 World Cup, declaring that the door to reconsideration is now shut indefinitely.
Despite his stellar performance in the ongoing IPL tournament, where he has been in exceptional form, Narine has rebuffed calls urging him to rescind his retirement plans for the T20 World Cup, even going as far as blocking incoming calls on his phone.
The 35-year-old, who last represented the West Indies in a T20 match back in 2019, announced his retirement from international cricket in November last year, opting to concentrate on franchise T20 leagues across the globe.
Despite efforts to persuade him to reconsider, especially given his recent standout performances for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, Narine remained resolute in his decision. However, a recent Instagram post hinted at a potential change of heart, expressing gratitude for the encouragement and hinting at a desire to participate in the T20 World Cup.
In his announcement, Narine reiterated his commitment to supporting the team despite declining the opportunity to participate himself. “While I appreciate the support and encouragement, I have made my decision, and it stands,” he affirmed, pledging his support to the players who will don the West Indies jersey in the tournament.
Acknowledging the hard work put in by his fellow players, Narine expressed confidence in their abilities and emphasized the importance of showcasing their talent to the fans, striving to bring home another title for the West Indies.
Narine’s exceptional form in the IPL, where he ranks among the top run-scorers and has also made significant contributions with the ball, has caught the attention of many, including West Indies captain Rovman Powell, who publicly appealed to Narine to reconsider his retirement and represent the team once again. While Narine’s decision comes as a big blow to the team, his absence allows other players to step up and be counted.
