Once dubbed as the super-flop of IPL, after a disastrous 2021 campaign, Nicholas Pooran has not only reinvented himself at Lucknow Super Giants, but he has also stamped his authority. The West Indian slammed 30-ball 44 against Punjab Kings, his sixth consecutive 40+ score in IPL.
With 189 runs in three innings of IPL 2025 with an average of 63.00, the LSG batter is now the leader of the Orange Cap race. Since the great Chris Gayle, he has become only the second West Indian to lead the Orange Cap race.
Chris Gayle bagged the Orange Cap two consecutive times in 2011 and 2012 with 608 and 733 runs, respectively. Another southpaw, Pooran, is following in his footsteps.
IPL 2025 Orange Cap Race
| Pos | Player | Inns | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nicholas Pooran (LSG) | 3 | 189 | 75 | 63.00 | 219.76 | 2 |
| 2 | Sai Sudharsan (GT) | 2 | 137 | 74 | 68.50 | 167.07 | 2 |
| 3 | Travis Head (SRH) | 3 | 136 | 67 | 45.33 | 191.54 | 1 |
| 4 | Mitchell Marsh (LSG) | 3 | 124 | 72 | 41.33 | 182.35 | 2 |
| 5 | Aniket Verma (SRH) | 3 | 117 | 74 | 39.00 | 205.26 | 1 |
𝙔𝙚𝙝 𝙖𝙖 𝙜𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙖 𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙞!
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 1, 2025#NicholasPooran takes the invite & smashes #YuzvendraChahal for a MAXIMUM!
Watch LIVE actionhttps://t.co/GLxHRDPCtX#IPLonJioStar
#LSGvPBKS | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi & JioHotstar! |… pic.twitter.com/MOKE5TARl4
Nicholas Pooran: Mr Consistent
In IPL 2021, Nicholas Pooran scored four ducks in 11 innings, scoring a total of 85 runs at an average of 7.72. That could have been the end for Pooran in IPL. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad trusted his capabilities. In IPL 2022, SRH paid Rs 10.75 crore for his services. He did not disappoint. Pooran scored 306 runs and improved his strike rate to 144.34.
However, it was in Lucknow Super Giants where he reinvented his form after the franchise splashed Rs 16 Crore for him. In his first season at LSG, he smashed 358 runs in 15 matches. But he played as a finisher and struck at 172.95. IPL 2024 was his best season as he hammered 499 runs at 62.38 average and 178.21 strike rate.
So far in IPL 2025, Pooran has smashed 75, 70 and 44 in three innings with a strike rate of 219.76, the best in the league this season.
Nicholas Pooran’s runs in IPL year-wise
| Series | Inns | Runs | Avg | SR | 50s | HS | Ducks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 6 | 168 | 28 | 157.01 | 0 | 48 | 0 |
| 2020 | 14 | 353 | 35.3 | 169.71 | 2 | 77 | 1 |
| 2021 | 11 | 85 | 7.73 | 111.84 | 0 | 32 | 4 |
| 2022 | 13 | 306 | 38.25 | 144.34 | 2 | 64* | 1 |
| 2023 | 15 | 358 | 29.83 | 172.95 | 2 | 62 | 2 |
| 2024 | 14 | 499 | 62.38 | 178.21 | 3 | 75 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 | 189 | 63.00 | 219.76 | 2 | 75 | 0 |
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