Lucknow Super Giants wicket-keeper bat Nicholas Pooran has revealed he is in a good space and he wants to make the ongoing Indian Premier League 2023 his season. Pooran played a blistering knock of 19-ball 62 to help his team chase down 213 runs against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Monday.
Pooran joined forces with KL Rahul after Marcus Stoinis was dismissed and the score read 99-4 after 10.4 overs. With Rahul struggling to get going, it was crucial for Pooran to get off the blocks. The Trinidadian was able to do it as he completed his fifty off just 15 balls, which is the fastest of the tournament.
Pooran went on to score a whirlwind knock of 62 runs from 19 balls as he batted at the top of his game. The southpaw smashed four fours and seven sixes as he scored his runs at a strike rate of 326.32.
Pooran was awarded the Player of the Match for his fine knock in the run-chase. He said in the post-match presentation, “I want to dedicate this performance to my wife and newborn. We knew that the game was on, and Stoinis and KL had a wonderful partnership. Stoinis kept us in the game and I knew this was a nice wicket. We could chase even over 50 in the last four, it was about cashing in.”
He added, “The second ball I came in and smashed a six. It isn’t about getting a look in, if it is in my slot then I will smash it for six. Over the past couple of years, I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself to finish games. Today also I wanted to finish the game but got out in the end. I hope this is the season for me, in a good space and state of mind. Just want to enjoy my cricket, play with a smile and entertain, and win games for my team.”
On the other hand, Marcus Stoinis also played a key hand in the run-chase as the powerful Australian scored 65 runs from only 30 balls, with the help of six fours and five sixes.
He said after the game, “It was a beautiful pitch. I knew I had to be attacking but I also knew it was a pretty important stage of the game as well. It was nice to contribute to the team. We are a young franchise. We hadn’t won a game away from home this season yet, it’s important. We’re all getting on really well. That’s important to get some momentum early. It’s fun to hit the middle of the bat and contribute to the team. We did (when asked if his team believed that it was an achievable target), we actually bowled well in the powerplay, it was some beautiful batting from Virat and Faf. Some of those shots, you don’t see every day. We bowled okay there and our spinners bowled beautifully. History suggests that 200 is pretty much par. The plan was to get off to a good start and go from there.”
Lucknow Super Giants will take on Punjab Kings on Saturday at their home venue in Lucknow.
