Will Sunil Narine play the ICC T20 World Cup 2024? KKR all rounder gives clarity

Former West Indies all rounder Sunil Narine put an end to speculations of him coming out of retirement and playing for West Indies in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 by issuing a statement on social media saying “that door is now closed.”

Narine retired from international cricket late last year and has not played for the West Indies since 2019. However, his current form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) gave rise to speculations that the 35-year-old might contemplate backtracking from his retirement.

Narine has scored 286 runs, including an unbeaten 109 off just 56 balls against Rajasthan Royals, with an average of more than 40 and has also contributed with the ball, picking up nine wickets at an average of 22.11 and an economy rate of hovering around the 7-run mark.

West Indies’ T20 captain Rovman Powell, who plays for Rajasthan Royals, said he was trying to talk to Narine to come out of retirement and play for West Indies in the T20 World Cup.

In a post on social media, Narine said while he was humbled by the fact that fans would want him to play for his country again, he made it clear that he has made peace with the decision to retire and is not willing to play international cricket again. “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 the West Indies,” he wrote.

He said he is backing deserving players and said the West Indies are capable of winning another T20 World title. “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,” he concluded in his post.

The ICC T20 World Cup commences in the USA and the West Indies on June 1. The Powell-led team is placed in Group C, along with Uganda, New Zealand and Afghanistan, and will play their first match against Papua New Guinea in Guyana June 2.