New Delhi, April 23: Caribbean cricket icon Sunil Narine is in red-hot form in this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.
Playing for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), his strike rate at top of the batting order is enviable. His consistent good scores and even his bowling, fielding and all cricketing aspects indicate that the West Indian has certainly a few years of international cricket left in him.
With Twebty20 World Cup 2024 scheduled to begin in June, which would be played in West Indies and the USA, cricket fans have every reason to hope that Narine comes out of retirement and play the T20 World Cup 2024 for his country.
Asked about the possibility of him wearing the West Indies jersey in the coming ICC Men's T20 World Cup in June 2024, Narine in his trademark low-profile style replied in the negative.
Narine, has ruled himself out of a recall to West Indies' squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA, saying "that door is now closed" and he sees his retirement decision as final and has made peace with it.
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder last played for the West Indies in August 2019 and announced his retirement in November last year. His impressive performance in the ongoing IPL sparked speculations of his comeback to the national team.
But Narine played down all the prospect of playing for the West Indies again by issuing a statement in which he said, "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."
The 35-year-old is currently topping the tournament's MVP standings. His remarkable run includes a stellar innings of 109 not out from 56 balls against Rajasthan Royals last week, marking his first T20 century. On the bowling front, Narine has 9 scalps in seven games.
Players like Sunil Narine are once in a generation kind. Many cricket lovers would surely love to see him wear the Caribbean jersey in the coming Twenty20 World Cup 2024.
But as always, Narine is special and unique. He has mildly avoided the issue sticking to his previous decision of not to come out of the retirement and play for West Indies again, even if he is in good form and the event is an ICC World Cup. (With IANS support)
