Former West Indies spinner Sunil Narine has confirmed his stance on whether he’ll play for his team in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 or not. The T20 WC will be hosted by the West Indies and the USA from June 2nd onwards.
Narine, 35, is presently leading the tournament’s MVP standings following a stunning run of form, which included a superb 109 not out from 56 balls against the Rajasthan Royals last week, his first T20 century. He is also KKR’s joint-leading wicket-taker, with nine wickets at 22.11 and an economy rate of 7.10.
This has led West Indies T20I captain Rovman Powell to admit he had been “whispering in [Narine’s] ears” over the previous 12 months. This will be the first time West Indies will be hosting the T20 World Cup since 2010.
“For the last 12 months, I have been whispering in his 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 when asked about trying to convince Narine to reverse his decision.
“That door is now closed”- Sunil Narine on playing for West Indies again
Notably Sunil Narine retired from international cricket in November 2023 and last played for the Windies in 2019. Sunil Narine hit a splendid 109 runs with 13 fours and 6 sixes to his name against Rajasthan Royals, hitting his maiden T20 and IPL ton. This achievement came to Narine in his 504th T20 match.
Notably, Narine was part of the West Indies team that won the T20 World Cup in 2012 and from 51 T20Is, he has picked up 52 wickets at 21.25 and 6.01 with a career-best of 4-12.
But now in a statement issued by KKR, Narine has addressed the speculations over his international retirement U-turn and admitted that the “door is now closed”.
“I’m 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 for 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,” Narine was quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
