Despite announcing his retirement from international cricket last year, West Indies Twenty20 (T20) Captain Rovman Powell is hopeful that Sunil Narine will make himself available for the team for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA in June.

The Trinidad and Tobago spinner made himself unavailable for the last two editions of the T20 World Cup in 2021 and 2022 where the Windies failed to make the knockout stages. Narine’s last appearance for the Caribbean side was in 2019 when India toured the Caribbean.

The 35-year-old, however, has continued to play franchise cricket around the world and is still regarded as one of the best players in the format.

On Tuesday, Narine picked up his maiden century in the Indian Premier League (IPL), scoring 109 off just 56 deliveries for the Kolkata Knight Riders in their two wicket defeat to the Rajasthan Royals.

Days before the match, when asked by commentator and former West Indies teammate Samuel Badree about his World Cup plans, he said, “I will be watching from home.”

However, his post-match comments on Tuesday seemingly left the door open for a return. When asked if he’d reconsider his decision, Narine said, “It is what it is, but let’s see what the future holds.”

Also speaking after the match, Powell, who plays for the Royals in the IPL, says a collective effort is being made to get Narine to play for the Windies at the World Cup.

“For the last 12 months, I’ve been whispering in his [Narine’s] ears, but he’s blocked out everyone,” Powell said. “I’ve asked [Kieron] Pollard, [Dwayne] Bravo, [and Nicholas] Pooran. Hopefully, before they select the team, they can crack his code,” he said.

Earlier this month, West Indies Head Coach Daren Sammy said the 15-man squad for the World Cup, set for June 1 to 29, has virtually been selected, citing that there are two spots left and will come closer to a decision following the Windies ‘A’ team T20 tour of Nepal, beginning on April 27.

However, after his appointment last May, Sammy who won the World Cup twice with Narine, said he was in discussions with Narine prior to his decision to retire, during his unveiling press conference. “Having played not too long ago and understanding the complaints of players — and the lack thereof of communication — I think it’s important for us to communicate. It sounds simple but I understand that just clear communication makes the process better and it gives you a better understanding.

“I’ve reached out to Sunil Narine and all these guys, too, to hear what their thoughts are. Because they still take part in some of our domestic competitions. But it takes honest and mature conversations, which is one I’m not afraid to have with the players. I’m encouraged by the discussions that we’ve had when it comes to West Indies cricket, outlining clear plans as to how we reintegrate,” he said.

Narine, who has 51 T20 International caps for the Windies, is one of the in form players at the IPL. He’s the third-leading runs scorer with 276 from six innings at an average of 46, and also has seven wickets.