Now that door is shut: Sunil Narine withdraws from the T20 World Cup due to an IPL purple patch

With the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA coming up, former West Indies bowling all-rounder Sunil Narine—who is enjoying an amazing IPL season—won’t be changing his mind about retiring, stating that the “door is now closed.”.

The 35-year-old, who decided to concentrate on franchise T20 leagues worldwide in November of last year, last participated in a T20 International for the West Indies in August 2019.

However, efforts were being made to persuade Narine to change his mind about playing in the T20 World Cup because of his remarkable performance for the Kolkata Knight Riders this IPL season, both at bat and with the ball.

“I am genuinely touched and humbled that my recent performances have inspired numerous individuals to openly express their desire for me to emerge from retirement and participate in the forthcoming T20 World Cup,” Narine said in an Instagram post.

He said that he would be rooting for the team from home and that he was at ease with his choice.

“I’ve come to terms with that choice, and even though I never want to let anybody down, that door is now closed. I’ll be rooting for the men when they play for the West Indies in June.

“Guys who have put in a lot of effort over the last few months and deserve to prove to our amazing supporters that they are deserving of another championship.” “I hope the best for you,” he said.

A vital player for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) since 2012, Narine is now ranked sixth among the league’s top scorers with 286 runs, including his first-ever T20 century last week against the Rajasthan Royals.

With the ball, the off-spinner is tied for first place among KKR’s wicket-takers with nine at an economy rate of 7.10 and an average of 22.11.

West Indies skipper Rovman Powell has been forced to urge spinner Narine to come out of retirement for the home World Cup because to his purple patch.

I have been speaking in his ears for the last 12 months, and he has shut out everyone else. Powell had said last week, “I hope they can crack his code before they select the team. I asked (Kieron) Pollard, (Dwayne) Bravo, and (Nicholas) Pooran.”