He has always had a calmness about him. A very West Indian relaxed kind of mindset and demeanour. And having seen adversity, he knows that one needs to celebrate and value the good that comes your way. The urge to keep getting better, and be the best version of oneself, is what defines the new Nicholas Pooran. That’s what came through in the candid conversations we had on the IPL and his own approach to batting.
Not overawed by the 21-crore price tag or the weight of expectations, Pooran is simply going about his job. He knows he can hit the ball miles and is keeping it simple. Go and do what you do best for hours and hours at practice, and in doing so, help your team Lucknow Super Giants] demolish opponents.
“The best part about this franchise is they have never put me under pressure,” he told me. “When you are paid a lot of money, there is always pressure. Not so much from outside but from within. You know you need to justify this price tag. You need to deliver for the franchise and stand up and be counted. You know you have to make a difference. And that’s what you need to enjoy. I have always wanted to be the best T20 batter in the world. Make a difference for my team. Be the best version of myself and do justice to the talent and ability I have. Having been through an accident and seen what it is like when you are down, I cherish every moment of the opportunity that has come my way. And that’s why I have managed to enjoy the pressure that comes with the job.”
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What is fascinating is how he can start hitting from ball one. Irrespective of the match situation or the condition of the wicket, Pooran is unfazed. He is a much-improved player against spin and now it is difficult to find a chink in his armour. When I asked him about this level of consistency, his answer was interesting.
“When you are hitting sixes, there is often a sense of fright on the face of the bowler,” he said. “You want to see them scared! But yes, it is not easy. Never easy to go out and hit the first ball for a six or keep hitting at a strike-rate of 200. But then, that’s why you are being chosen. That’s your ability. So you need to master it and keep practicing. Think of ways you can improve, evolve better and be the best version of yourself.
“I know things will not always go your way. I know you could be laid low. That’s why you need to make the most of every opportunity. I want to win the IPL with LSG in the next few years and that’s the goal. We need to pursue this goal consistently, and I am sure it can happen.”
If Pooran continues with the kind of consistency we have seen so far, he could well be the best T20 batter in the world and lead LSG into the playoffs one more time. Simply hit it out of the park, in his words! Needless to say, Sanjiv Goenka and his team will believe he can do it.
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