Following a heartbreaking conclusion to their journey in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, where they were knocked out during the preliminary stages, Nicholas Pooran is filled with optimism that the West Indies can “redeem” themselves as the tournament makes a triumphant return to the Caribbean for the first time in 14 years.
Pooran, who captained the West Indies squad in the last edition, stepped down from his leadership role in the aftermath of their disappointing exit. Reflecting on that period, he reveals a sense of unity and progress within the team since that low point. “We all have grown as players, as team-mates as well,” Pooran said in a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo. “When we played in Australia where we didn’t qualify, everyone was hurt. I resigned (from) captaincy after that as well. Everyone was hurt. But we are no longer that group of guys.”
The T20 World Cup in Australia was indeed a testing time for the West Indies cricket team. Handling the dual pressures of high expectations and underperformance proved to be a challenging task. However, Pooran believes that the current squad bears little resemblance to the unit from Australia. He emphasized, “We all know what’s at stake here. We all know that we have an opportunity to obviously redeem ourselves, make our cricket fans in the Caribbean and our cricket fans all over the world proud of us (and) happy. This time around we are much better players as well.” He added that exposure to franchise cricket has sharpened their skills and professional outlook, equipping the team with the necessary attributes to meet international standards.
The morale within the team has been buoyed by their recent performances. Notably, a clean sweep against South Africa in a 3-0 series win at home has bolstered confidence among the players and their supporters. Pooran is optimistic that the squad’s improved form and the sense of collective responsibility they’ve developed will translate into a strong showing at the World Cup.
. “If you just look at the series we played against South Africa, a few guys were missing, but we were able to win that series 3-nil,” Pooran mentioned. “You saw the performances, you saw that guys are fighting and that’s really important.”
This battle-ready mentality signals a positive shift from the disheartened team that exited early last time around. For Pooran and his teammates, giving 100% both on and off the field remains paramount. They are determined to present their best version, with the team’s success as the singular focus. “We may win, we may not win, but what’s more important for me, as a senior player as well, is that we need to give it 100% on and off the field. It’s not about us, it’s about our team, 100%,” he affirmed. Pooran’s emphasis on team cohesion and the significance of playing selflessly for the collective cause is a recurring theme in his message.
As they step into the World Cup, the West Indies team carries the hopes and dreams of a region with a storied cricketing history. Fans from the Caribbean and around the globe will be watching closely, yearning for a return to the glorious days when the West Indies were a dominant force in the cricketing world.
Under a new leadership and with reinvigorated spirits, the West Indies team aims to make an indelible mark. The stakes are high, and the journey to redemption is fraught with challenges, but the conviction is palpable. Pooran insists, “It’s important for me to continue to share that message: that it’s not about me or ourselves. It’s not about us at all. It’s all about what we can do for this team to be successful in the end.”
As anticipation builds, Nicholas Pooran and his teammates are poised to embark on a quest not just for victory, but for redemption and to inspire pride and joy among their fans. The T20 World Cup’s return to the Caribbean is more than a sporting event; it is an opportunity for the West Indies to rewrite their narrative and reclaim their place in the annals of cricket history.
