Narine, 35, is having an exceptional IPL 2024. In addition to being Kolkata Knight Riders’ joint-highest wicket-taker with nine scalps at 22.11 and 7.10, Narine has been extremely successful as an opening batter this season. He has scored 286 runs at 40.86 and 176.54 so far, including a spectacular 109 not out from 56 balls against Rajasthan Royals, his maiden T20 ton.

Sunil Narine has scored a hundred, his first ever in T20s!!#KKRvsRR #IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/pNtkySNzk3

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) April 16, 2024

The purple patch led West Indies T20 captain Rovman Powell to admit he had been “whispering in his [Narine’s] ears” to get him into their team for the T20 World Cup.

Narine called time on his international career in 2023, four years after playing his last game, against India. He was an integral part of the West Indies team that won their maiden T20 World Cup in 2012. From 51 T20Is, he has picked up 52 wickets at 21.25  and 6.01 with a career-best of 4-12.

“Door is now closed”

But now in a statement issued by KKR, Narine has addressed the speculations over his international retirement U-turn and admitted that the “door is now closed”.

“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,” Narine wrote.

“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.”