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Nicholas Pooran’s Masterclass Against Spin: A Tactical Breakdown
Pooran’s Explosive Form in T20 Cricket
Nicholas Pooran has been in scintillating form over the past 15 months, showcasing his dominance as one of the most feared batters in T20 cricket. The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) recognized his value, retaining him for a staggering ₹21 crore ahead of the 2025 mega auction—equal to Virat Kohli and just behind Heinrich Klaasen (₹23 crore). His ability to clear the ropes and pile up runs made him the top run-scorer in 2024, cementing his reputation as a game-changer.
Pooran’s Dominance Against Spin
One of the key reasons behind Pooran’s hefty price tag is his proficiency against spin. He is among the elite batters who can dismantle certain types of spin bowling regardless of the match situation. His recent heroics against Delhi Capitals exemplify why teams hesitate to bowl spin against him.
Pooran’s Destructive Matchups
In a previous IPL encounter in Delhi, Axar Patel dismissed Marcus Stoinis on the first ball of his spell. Pooran, undeterred, came out in the fourth over and smashed 20 runs off his first five balls. This forced Delhi to pull Axar out of the attack.
Similarly, in a past IPL season, he took on Abhishek Sharma, launching three consecutive sixes off his first three deliveries. Since IPL 2023, Pooran has maintained a staggering strike rate of 169.23 against spin in his first ten balls—a figure only bettered by Klaasen (181.69). This ability to disrupt spin attacks has made middle-over specialists like him and Klaasen invaluable in modern-day T20 leagues.
Top Players with the Best Strike Rate Against Spin (First 10 Balls Since IPL 2023)
| Player | Innings | Strike Rate | Wickets Lost | Boundary % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heinrich Klaasen | 14 | 181.69 | 3 | 22.53% |
| Nicholas Pooran | 12 | 169.23 | 1 | 25.00% |
| Shivam Dube | 13 | 167.64 | 2 | 19.11% |
| Glenn Maxwell | 11 | 164.00 | 5 | 26.00% |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 14 | 151.28 | 1 | 20.51% |
Exploiting Weak Matchups
Pooran’s ability to identify and exploit favorable matchups sets him apart. Against debutant Vipraj Nigam, he struck three sixes in an over, marking the seventh time he achieved this feat in the IPL—only behind Andre Russell. When Delhi turned to part-time spinner Tristan Stubbs in the 13th over, Pooran smashed him for 28 runs, marking the 13th time he had scored 18+ runs in an over.
A Calculated Approach Against Kuldeep Yadav
While Pooran is known for his aggressive style, his approach against Kuldeep Yadav showcased his adaptability. Kuldeep had dismissed him five times in 64 balls in previous T20 encounters. Instead of attacking recklessly, Pooran rotated the strike and used sweeps to keep the scoreboard ticking without taking unnecessary risks.
Unbelievable Strike Rate Against Spin
Pooran finished his innings with 75 off just 30 balls, scoring 60 runs off 18 deliveries against spin while playing cautiously against pace. His strike rate of 333.33 against spin in this game was the second highest in IPL history among batters facing at least 15 balls of spin—only behind Chris Gayle’s legendary 473.33 strike rate in a historic match.
Key Takeaways from Pooran’s Innings:
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Match Awareness: Recognizing favorable matchups and attacking accordingly.
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Spin Dominance: Relentless against spin, making him a nightmare for opposing teams.
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Tactical Adaptability: Careful against bowlers like Kuldeep Yadav, proving he isn’t just a power hitter but also a smart cricketer.
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