Nicholas Pooran Retained by Lucknow at 21 Crores
His exceptional form and unique ability to dominate spinners make him a valuable asset to any team, and his performances will be eagerly anticipated in the upcoming season, where he will look to continue his streak of scoring runs and hitting sixes at an unprecedented rate.
Nicholas Pooran has been retained by Lucknow at a staggering 21 crores, the same amount as Virat Kohli, ahead of the 2025 mega auction, a testament to his exceptional form in T20 cricket, where he has scored more runs and hit more sixes than anyone else in a single calendar year in 2024.
Pooran's ability to hit spinners with ease has been a notable aspect of his game, with some spinners finding it challenging to bowl to him regardless of the game state or stage of the innings. His strike rate against spin, particularly in the first 10 balls, has been impressive, with a strike rate of 169.23 since IPL 2023. This skill was on full display when he faced Capitals' spinners, striking at 333.33, the second-highest in IPL among batters to have faced at least 15 balls of spin.
One of Pooran's standout performances came in a game where he scored 75 off 30 balls, with 60 runs coming off just 18 balls faced from Capitals' spinners. This innings showcased not only his brute force but also his smart batting, as he maximized an over when he found the right matchup and demonstrated an impressive ability to hold fort and rotate the strike.
With his retention at 21 crores, Lucknow has signaled its confidence in Pooran's abilities, especially his unique skill set that makes him an elite hitter of spin. As the 2025 mega auction approaches, Pooran's form and capabilities will undoubtedly be closely watched, given his potential to significantly impact the outcome of matches.