IPL 2025: Uthappa Commends Pooran's Explosive Performance

Hyderabad, March 28 (NationPress) Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa commended Nicholas Pooran for his stunning performance in the Lucknow Super Giants' five-wicket victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad, asserting that the West Indian showcased absolute dominance over the SRH bowlers to secure his team's first win of the season.

In pursuit of 191 runs, the 29-year-old Pooran displayed his extraordinary batting skills, reaching his fifty in a mere 18 balls, thus achieving the fastest fifty in IPL 2025. He formed a formidable partnership of 116 runs for the second wicket with Mitchell Marsh (52 off 31) before departing for 70 runs off just 26 balls, featuring six fours and six sixes.

This marked Pooran's second consecutive half-century in the current IPL season, which earned him the Purple Cap as the leading run-scorer of the tournament. In the opening match against Delhi Capitals, Pooran had scored 75 runs off just 30 deliveries.

“He was simply playing the merit of the ball. His mindset is clear: if the ball is in his hitting zones, he goes for it without hesitation—exactly what he did today. Against spinners, particularly left-arm and leg spinners, he positions himself to take advantage of any loose deliveries,” Uthappa remarked.

“When you take on a bowler like Adam Zampa in his initial over and hit him for 19 runs, it sends a strong message: 'I’m on fire.' That’s the kind of dominance Pooran displayed today—exceptional power-hitting with 17 boundaries off just 26 balls,” Uthappa shared on JioHotstar.

Prior to the explosive batting display by Pooran and Marsh, Shardul Thakur laid the groundwork with his bowling, claiming four wickets (4-34) and reaching the milestone of 100 IPL wickets.

Commenting on Thakur's bowling performance, Uthappa said, “They say all's well that ends well, and Shardul embodies that sentiment now. He was unfortunate during the auctions—he deserved to be picked and at a decent price. However, the unpredictable nature of the auctions left him unsold. I still find that puzzling. Nevertheless, he took the setback in stride, returned to first-class cricket, and excelled.”

“To step into the IPL and perform so impressively is simply amazing. He has a lot more to offer. Even in the last match, he demonstrated that while he may concede runs, he consistently finds ways to deliver crucial breakthroughs. He might seem costly when he doesn’t take wickets, but when he does, he’s top-tier. I believe he should have bowled more in the first game, where he only bowled two overs. This time, I’m pleased he completed his full quota of four,” Uthappa concluded.