“I appreciate that it has been over four years since I last played for the West Indies, but today I announce my retirement from international cricket,” Narine wrote on Instagram. “In public I am a man of few words, but in private there are some people who have given me unwavering support throughout my career and helped me realize my dream of representing the West Indies, and to you I express my deepest deep gratitude.”
Since 2012, Narine has been a regular fixture in the Kolkata Knight Riders team and is now a familiar face on the T20 circuit around the world, which will now be ‘business as usual’ for him for the foreseeable future. He continues to play for the Knight Riders franchise in all leagues: KKR in the IPL, Abu Dhabi in the International T20 League, Trinbago in the Caribbean Premier League and Los Angeles in Major League Cricket. He is also part of the Hundred Men competition with Oval Invincibles and also plays in the Big Bash League, Pakistan Super League and Bangladesh Premier League.
In 2014, Narine was first reported for suspicious action following which he withdrew from the ODI World Cup the following year. That influenced his sporadic international appearances.
Narine, now 35, also has his sights set on a national trophy.
“[My father] is always present with me when I go out on the field and I am indebted to his support and love, which accompanied me through the moments when I questioned whether the pursuit of my dreams was really worth it,” he wrote. “I love representing Trinidad and Tobago. “Tobago, my native country, and adding another title by winning the Super50 Cup will be the perfect farewell.”