Nicholas Pooran credits timing, not power, for explosive 26-ball 70 against SRH

His 26-ball 70, including six towering sixes against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) five-wicket win, left a lasting impression. However, despite his remarkable hitting ability, Pooran insists that he doesn't actively try to hit sixes. Instead, he focuses solely on timing the ball.

"I never set out to hit sixes, I just concentrate on timing the ball well," Pooran said after his rapid-fire knock. "Over the past nine years, I've been honing my craft. I'm grateful for the chance to bat higher up in the order during the powerplay. It's important to make the most of those opportunities when the pitch is good and when the match-up works in your favor."

Pooran entered the match on the 10th ball of LSG's chase of 191 and wasted no time asserting his presence. He hit his second ball for a four, followed by two massive sixes off Simarjeet Singh in the third over. By the end of the powerplay, he had already racked up 44 runs off 16 balls, with four fours and four sixes. His fifty came in just 18 balls, making it the third-fastest half-century in IPL history.

"I've never specifically worked on my bat speed-I'm just naturally gifted," Pooran remarked. "I'm really pleased that the hard work I've put in over the years is paying off now, and I'm able to contribute to winning games for my team."

Pooran's promotion to bat at number three for LSG, alongside captain Rishabh Pant, has given him the freedom to express himself in the top order. Pant, understanding Pooran's potential, moved down the order to make room for the aggressive batsman.

"The idea was to let Pooran play with freedom at the top," Pant explained after leading his team to victory. "We all know how destructive he can be. Giving him that space to play his natural game is important, and the way he's been batting has been exceptional for us."

Pooran's knock set the stage for a crucial partnership with Mitchell Marsh, who played an excellent supporting role, adding 116 runs for the second wicket. Marsh, in his second outing as a designated batter, made another key contribution with a half-century. In his first match, he was substituted out, but in this game, he was substituted in.

"It's a long tournament, and it's great to see Marsh stepping up, especially against the seamers," Pooran said. "We're playing proper cricketing shots and keeping the scoreboard ticking without losing wickets. The left-right combination has been really effective for us, and we're making sure to maintain our focus on partnerships and match-ups during crucial phases."

Marsh, equally impressed by Pooran's knock, shared his admiration for his teammate. "Fascinating - that's the best way I can describe Pooran. I've played against him for years, often being on the other end of his powerful hitting. It's great to finally be on his team. He's a phenomenal player, and I look forward to batting with him more."

"Pooran was unstoppable tonight," Marsh added, underscoring the dominance of his teammate's innings.