Nicholas Pooran’s Epic Comeback in IPL 2025: From Struggles to Six-Hitting Stardom

Nicholas Pooran’s journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a rollercoaster, marked by early struggles, relentless hard work, and a jaw-dropping resurgence.

Back in 2020, Pooran, playing for Punjab Kings, faced a tough season. Despite a decent 353 runs at a strike rate of 169.71, his inconsistencies led to a now-forgotten tweet where he reflected on his poor performance and vowed to bounce back. Few noticed then, but Pooran never stopped grinding.

Years passed, and IPL seasons came and went. Pooran’s potential flickered but never fully ignited. A low point came in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), where he scored zero runs in a Super Over maiden—an embarrassing moment for the Trinidadian.

Labeled an “average batsman,” he struggled to live up to the hype of his 2013 CPL debut, where a 24-ball 54 announced his arrival. Even in IPL 2021, he managed only 85 runs. And his 2022 season with Sunrisers Hyderabad saw 306 runs but no real dominance.

Fast forward to IPL 2025, and Pooran has transformed into a T20 monster for Lucknow Super Giants. Batting at No. 3, he’s unleashed a barrage of fours and sixes, leaving bowlers shell-shocked.

With 349 runs in six games, including a blistering 87* off 36 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders. He’s the Orange Cap holder, boasting a strike rate of 225 and 31 sixes. His 2024 season set the stage, with 499 runs at 178.31, and now he’s rewriting record books, surpassing even Chris Gayle’s six-hitting feats.

Bowlers no longer dream of dismissing him—they’re just praying to avoid being launched out of the stadium. Pooran’s slog sweeps, pulls, and hooks have redefined T20 batting, with stats like a 344.7 strike rate on slog sweeps since 2023. His only slight weakness? Left-arm wrist-spin and precise bouncers. But stray too wide, and he averages 55.5; too straight, and it’s 126.

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From a tweet lost in time to headlining IPL’s batting charts, Pooran’s comeback is a testament to persistence. As he told ESPNcricinfo, “I don’t plan to hit sixes—just time the ball.” Yet, every ball seems to soar, and the cricketing world can’t look away.