BENGALURU – Director of Cricket at Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Tom Moody, believes it is just a matter of time before star batsman Nicholas Pooran finds his form in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The usually dependable Pooran has been in a batting slump since the start of the 2026 season, scoring just 41 runs in four innings at an unimpressive strike rate of 85 – the lowest among batters who have faced at least 30 deliveries.
It has been a disappointing performance thus far by the 30-year-old Trinidadian, who lit up the previous IPL season by hitting 527 runs at a strike rate of close to 197.
With LSG set to take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Wednesday at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Moody said he expects Pooran will come good with the bat in short order.
It is a venue that Pooran is quite familiar with, as he averages 74 and strikes at 218.
“Obviously, Nicky is fully aware of the slow start he has had. We’ve got absolutely 100 per cent confidence in what he brings to the table.
“As I say, class is permanent, and I’m sure that the opportunity at a venue where batting can be something that top-order players can enjoy – the size of the ground, the surface – could well be the tonic that Nicky Pooran needs,” Moody told ESPNcricinfo.
“Everyone knows he is a world-class player. He can have a little lean patch, but look out for the counterpunch.”
CMC
