Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif believes Nicholas Pooran’s recent lean form will be LSG’s biggest concern in the remainder of IPL 2025. Pooran has amassed 410 runs in 11 matches at an average of 41 and a strike rate of 200.98.
While the left-hander was fantastic for LSG in the first half of the league phase, he has veered off the track in in the last five innings, managing only 61 runs.
“The biggest blow has been Pooran going out of form. Lucknow was continuously winning matches when Pooran was playing. Their problems have increased after Pooran’s bat went silent. Since the time the bowlers have come up with the tactic to bowl full and get him out lbw or bowled, it has become a huge cause for concern,” Kaif said on Star Sports.
The Natwest Trophy final hero noted that Pooran was winning matches on his own for LSG but it is no longer the case.
“Pooran was winning matches single-handedly at the start, although Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh also played well. In the first half, Nicholas Pooran was hitting sixes no matter where you bowled the ball, and he has an average of 12 in the second half. He has been able to score only 61 runs in his last five innings,” the former India batter added.
On the other hand, LSG captain Rishabh Pant has struggled to lead from the front, managing only 128 runs in 11 matches at an average of 12.80 and a strike rate of 99.22. Former Indian all-rounder Sanjay Bangar said Pant will need to change his playing style to get back in form.
“He might have to change his playing style slightly. He will have to try to score runs in front of the wickets. I still feel he should play slightly at the top of the order. If Aiden Markram isn’t available, he has the option to open once again,” he said.
The former Indian batting coach backed Pant to score his runs in the V and avoid playing behind the wickets.
“Don’t try too much to score runs behind the wickets. This is not Rishabh Pant’s strength. Rishabh Pant made his name by hitting straight, the way he bats in Test matches. All his well-wishers and we want Rishabh Pant to play like that, and put that fear in the bowlers’ minds once again,” Bangar observed.
IPL will resume on May 17.
