Top Performances By Nicholas Pooran In IPL

image-ll0l467yNicholas Pooran plays for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL [Source: Twitter]

West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran is enjoying a stellar run in international and league cricket ever since relinquishing captaincy duties in November 2022. Pooran, known for his aggressive and brutal batting first rampaged in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 for Lucknow Super Giants, then for West Indies in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifier, and then in the Major Cricket League (MLC) 2023 with MI New York. 

However, Pooran did not enjoy a joyous run before 2022, where the left-handed batter got purchased for INR 10 crore by Sunrisers Hyderabad, and then again for INR 16 crore by LSG.

Despite being in the IPL ecosystem since 2017, Pooran played his first match in 2019 for Punjab Kings. Overall, in 62 IPL games, the 27-year-old has amassed 1,270 runs with six fifties at a staggering strike rate of 156.79. 

Team
Runs
Season
Punjab Kings1682019
Punjab Kings353
2020
Punjab Kings
852021
Sunrisers Hyderabad3062022
Lucknow Super Giants3582023

In his short IPL career, Pooran has already made a mark for himself as a destructive force, who single-handedly can change the course of the match, and can also be erratic and gift his wicket away during crucial junctures.

In this list, we look at some of Pooran's most memorable knocks from the IPL that have wowed the audiences. 

1.62 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chinnaswamy, IPL 2023 

image-ll0p5y5iNicholas Pooran recorded a 15-ball 50 [Source:Twitter]

Chasing 213 against RCB in Match 15 at Bengaluru, Pooran came in the middle with LSG needing 114. Pooran unfazed by the sky-rocketing run-rate, turned up the ante from the second ball and hoiked Karn Sharma for plenty. 

The left-handed annihilated RCB's bowlers to all parts of the ground, much to the shock of home fans who were witnessing the carnage. Pooran went on to record the joint third fastest-fifty (15) in IPL history and eventually made 62 off 19, which included five fours and five sixes. 

LSG won by one wicket. 

 2.43* vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Hyderabad, IPL 2023

image-ll0moh61Nicholas Pooran slammed unbeaten 43 [Source: Twitter] 

Pooran playing against his former IPL franchise, showed no love for his old employees during his whirlwind knock against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Chasing a steep 183, Pooran entered a jam-packed Rajiv Gandhi Stadium with LSG 57 runs away from notching an enthralling win. 

The West Indies dashed struck part-time spinner Abhishek Sharma for three consecutive sixes, becoming only the second IPL player to do so. With Prerak Mankad anchoring one end, Pooran opted to go all out in the death overs and prove a point to his previous owners about what they let go for. The power-hitter maverick slammed a scoring a quick-fire 44 off 13 laced with three fours and four sixes. 

LSG won seven wickets

3.58 vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Eden Gardens, IPL 2023

image-ll0p4zpdNicholas Pooran slammed 58 off 30 [Source: Twitter]

With LSG tottering on 73 for 5, Pooran stepped on the Eden Gardens in Calcutta and held the stadium against home side Kolkata Knight Riders. Pooran, who shone in several matches in IPL 2023, came good for the Lucknow-based side and dismantled Varun Chakravathy, who looked the most threatening. 

The power-hitter, who played against his natural self, showcased one of the best counter-attacking knocks and ensured LSG posted a respectable total, scoring 58, with five sixes and four fours in a crucial playoff qualification match. 

LSG won the match by one run

4.64* vs Chennai Super Kings, Pune, IPL 2022

image-ll0ndhi5Nicholas Pooran's 64 could not help SRH win [Source: Twitter]

Coming in with a hefty price tag, Pooran nearly took Sunrisers Hyderabad over the line against Chennai Super Kings in Pune. Coming in as early as the 10th over, Pooran displayed both conventional and unconventional approaches to batting.

The 10-crore player pulled out every shot in his armory which includes reverse sweep, lofted drive, and the pull shot, en-toure his unbeaten 64 off 33, which had six sixes and just three fours.

SRH lost by 13 runs.

5.53 vs Delhi Capitals, Dubai, IPL 2020

image-ll0o2h6gNicholas Pooran scored his second fifty of IPL 2020 [Source: Twitter]

The 2020 edition helped Pooran establish himself as a bonafide IPL star. Playing for Punjab Kings, the West Indies batter shined as a floater.  In only his second season, Pooran took on an in-form Delhi Capitals bowling attack apart, hammering the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Ravichandran Ashwin,  Axar Patel and others under pressure for PBKS, chasing 165. 

The left-handers' innings of 56 had shades of finesse and power all combined into one, which amounted to six fours and three sixes. This was Pooran's second IPL fifty as well .

PBKS won by five wickets