Pooran: 'I've never trained for bat speed — it's just natural talent'

Pooran: 'Never Trained for Bat Speed — It’s Pure Talent'

Nicholas Pooran is in unstoppable form in IPL 2025, already smashing 13 sixes in just two games. In Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) five-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), he blazed his way to 70 off 26 balls, clearing the ropes six times — yet insists it’s all about timing, not power.

"I don’t plan to hit sixes," Pooran said after the match. "I just focus on getting into good positions and timing the ball well. Over the last nine years, I’ve worked hard on my craft. Batting higher up in the order, especially during the powerplay, gives me a chance to capitalise when the pitch is good and the match-up suits me."

Pooran entered the chase early, with LSG needing 191 to win, and made an immediate impact. He hit a four off his second ball, followed by two sixes in the same over. By the end of the powerplay, he was already on 44 off 16, racing to a 50 in just 18 deliveries — his third-fastest in the IPL.

While his bat speed is often a talking point, Pooran downplays it: "I’ve never really worked on my bat speed. I’m just blessed with incredible talent," he said. "I’m glad the years of hard work are showing results and I’m contributing to wins."

This season, LSG made a strategic call — pushing Pooran to No. 3 and captain Rishabh Pant into the middle order. Pant explained the decision: "We wanted to give him that freedom. We all know the damage he can cause. I enjoy that kind of role too, but someone had to take charge and let Pooran go out and express himself. The way he's batting has been phenomenal."

Pooran and Mitchell Marsh stitched together a 116-run partnership for the second wicket, laying the foundation for LSG's win. Marsh, playing as a specialist batter this season, notched up his second consecutive half-century.

Pooran praised the balance they’ve found at the top: "It’s a long tournament, and Marsh has shown his class, especially against pace. We're playing smart, calculated cricket — maintaining left-right combinations, building partnerships, and attacking match-ups when the time is right."

Marsh, in turn, was full of admiration for his partner: "Fascinating — that’s the word for it. I’ve faced Nicky [Pooran] many times as an opponent, and now batting alongside him is a treat. He’s a brilliant player and I’m looking forward to building more partnerships with him. Tonight, he was simply unstoppable."

Catch the match live updates, highlights, and full match coverage on CricRadio. Get fast, accurate, and ad-free updates throughout the game. Download the CricRadio app from the Play Store to stay connected. You can also get the live scores of cricket series directly on the CricRadio website for real-time coverage.