Tag: Nicholas Pooran

Nicholas Pooran Biography: The Power-Hitter Who Redefined Caribbean Flair

Nicholas Pooran (born 2 October 1995) is a Trinidadian cricketer who represented the West Indies national cricket team in limited-overs formats and also served briefly as the team’s captain. Known for his explosive batting and natural stroke play, Pooran made a name for himself in T20 leagues across the world and remains one of the most sought-after franchise players even after his international retirement in June 2025, aged just 29.

He plays domestically for Trinidad and Tobago, represents the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and has delivered standout performances in the CPL, BPL, and Major League Cricket (MLC).

Early Life and Youth Career

Born in Couva, Trinidad, Nicholas Pooran studied at Naparima College in San Fernando, where he played school-level cricket and quickly rose through the ranks. A left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman, he made his debut for the Trinidad & Tobago U-19 team at age 16.

He gained international attention during the 2014 Under-19 World Cup, where he scored 303 runs in 6 matches and smashed a memorable 143 against Australia. His record-breaking 136-run ninth-wicket stand remains a highlight in U-19 cricket history.

Domestic and Franchise Career

Early Domestic Career

• Made domestic one-day debut in the 2013 Regional Super50

• First-class debut in 2014 against the Leeward Islands

• Suffered a major setback in 2015 after a road accident, which sidelined him for a significant period

Caribbean Premier League (CPL)

Pooran debuted for Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel in the inaugural CPL in 2013 at just 17 years old. He continued to feature for multiple CPL teams, including Guyana Amazon Warriors, where he scored his maiden T20 century in 2020.

IPL Journey

• 2017: Bought by Mumbai Indians but didn’t feature in any game

• 2019–2021: Played for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings); had a breakout season in IPL 2020 with 353 runs and 25 sixes

• 2022: Bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹10.75 crore

• 2023–Present: Signed by Lucknow Super Giants for ₹16 crore; had a standout season in 2025 with 525 runs and 4 fifties, in contention for the Orange Cap

Other T20 Leagues

• Featured in PSL (Islamabad United), BPL (Sylhet Sixers), and Global T20 Canada

• Played for MI New York in the inaugural Major League Cricket season and led them to the title with a stunning 137 in the final

• Named MLC Player of the Season (2023)

International Career

T20I Debut & Performances

• Debut: 23 September 2016 vs Pakistan

• Known for aggressive middle-order hitting and lightning-fast stumpings

• Finished with 1914 T20I runs, surpassing Chris Gayle as West Indies’ all-time leading T20I run-scorer

ODI Career

• Debut: 20 February 2019 vs England

• Scored century vs Sri Lanka in the 2019 World Cup

• Ended the tournament as West Indies’ highest run-getter

• Achieved 367 runs in 9 matches during the 2019 World Cup

• Took 4/48 as a part-time bowler vs Pakistan in 2022, marking his only international wickets

Captaincy & Controversies

• Appointed limited-overs captain in May 2022

• Stepped down after early exit from the 2022 T20 World Cup

• Was suspended for ball tampering in 2019 against Afghanistan

• Served a four-match T20I ban

ICC Tournament Highlights

Retirement from International Cricket

On June 2025, at the age of 29, Nicholas Pooran shocked the cricketing world by announcing his retirement from international cricket. Despite being in prime form, his decision reflected a growing trend of players prioritizing franchise commitments over national duties.

Career Stats Summary (as of retirement in June 2025)

Legacy and Impact

Nicholas Pooran remains one of the finest T20 batsmen produced by the Caribbean. His fierce hitting, unmatched glove work, and charismatic personality made him a fan-favorite around the globe. Whether it was the IPL, MLC, or CPL, Pooran’s ability to finish games and lead from the front has left a lasting legacy, even if his international stint ended earlier than expected.