Nicholas Pooran has stepped down as the captain of the West Indies. The decision comes days after West Indies’ first-stage exit from the T20 World Cup. The ill-timed exit came as a shocker for the two-time T20 World champions. West Indian cricket is suffering from a string of complications currently. The primary being the accusations on players for ignoring the national team to participate in league championships around the world. Previously, Phil Simmons backed down as the team’s head-coach immediately after West Indies’ early return from Australia.
Nicholas Pooran was named the white-ball captain of West Indies in May, as Kieron Pollard retired from the game. However, not even completing a one-year tenure, Pooran has left the post crumbling under the pressure. The said pressure, emulsified after West Indies’ humiliating exit from the World Cup. West Indies fighting in the qualifiers of the T20 World Cup managed a sole win in the stage. And consequently ended up at the last position on the table competing with the likes of Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Netherlands.
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Nicholas Pooran Leaves West Indies White-Ball Captaincy Behind Post the World Cup Debacle
Explaining his decision, Pooran said, “I have given the captaincy a great deal of thought since the enormous disappointment of the T20 World Cup. I took on the role with great pride and dedication and have given it absolutely everything over the past year.” Moreover, he added, “The T20 World Cup is something that must not define us and I will readily get involved in the upcoming reviews. And whilst it will be several months until we reconvene as a squad, I want to give CWI plenty of time to prepare for the matches against South Africa in March and beyond.”
Despite the upset, Pooran, the player is ready to give it all to the national team. “This is not me giving up. I remain ambitious and still view the captaincy of West Indies cricket as an honour that is bestowed upon you. There is no doubt I remain fully committed to West Indies cricket and I look forward to providing my services as a senior player in a supportive role,” said Pooran iterating his opinion to continue as a player for the team.
“By stepping down now as the West Indies white ball captain I believe it is in the best interests of the team and for me personally, as I need to concentrate on what I can deliver to the side as a player. I desperately want us to be successful and the most value I can give to the team is through fully focusing on the role of consistently scoring runs at crucial times,” he added. “I’m very thankful to CWI for the opportunity and faith shown in me. And for the support that I have received by our devoted fans since taking the role. Also to my teammates who have worked so hard as well. I know we have it in us to carry West Indies cricket forward and be proud,” Nicholas Pooran concluded.
