Rishabh Pant reacts to his LSG teammate Nicholas Pooran's retirement call, says 'congratulations on everything you have done for West Indies'

India's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has finally reacted to his Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) teammate and West Indies star Nicholas Pooran's retirement from international cricket. Pant expressed his admiration and respect for Nicholas Pooran. Pooran's decision to step away from international duties at the age of 29 on June 10, signifies his shift in focus towards participating exclusively in franchise-based cricket leagues worldwide.

The announcement has prompted numerous tributes for Pooran, with Rishabh Pant being among the latest to share his sentiments. Having shared the dressing room with Pooran at LSG during the IPL 2025 season, it's evident that the two cricketers have developed a strong rapport. In a heartfelt message posted on his Instagram profile, Pant acknowledged Pooran's massive impact on international cricket, recognising him as an invaluable teammate, a close friend, and a formidable presence within the game.

Pant extended his congratulations to Pooran for his valuable contributions to West Indies cricket throughout his career and conveyed his best wishes for success in his upcoming endeavors in the realm of franchise cricket.

"You've made your mark, bro - a true teammate, friend and an absolute powerhouse. Proud to have shared the field with you. Congrats on everything you have done for West Indies cricket. Wishing you nothing but success for the road ahead. Respect always," Pant's Instagram post read.

Notably, Pooran was a standout performer for LSG in the recently-concluded IPL 2025 season, particularly with his batting prowess. He amassed an impressive 524 runs across 14 matches for the franchise, demonstrating his aggressive style by hitting a remarkable 40 sixes and registering five half-centuries along the way. In contrast, Rishabh Pant, despite scoring a century in the final game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, didn't have as stellar an overall campaign.

While Pooran never had the opportunity to play Test cricket for the West Indies, he established himself as a vital player in their white-ball formats over the years. Throughout his career, the 29-year-old amassed 1983 runs in 61 One Day Internationals and a further 2275 runs in 106 T20 International matches. Pooran also took on the leadership role for the West Indies national team after being appointed captain in 2022, although he stepped down following their disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup that same year. Looking ahead to his franchise cricket commitments, Pooran has been appointed as the captain of MI New York for the upcoming season, signaling a new chapter in his cricketing journey where he will focus on leading and contributing to various T20 leagues around the world.