Nicholas Pooran on his relationship with Rishabh Pant: “We connect through shared trauma”

In the current Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are sharing a dressing room with two of the most potent wicketkeeper-batters of this era: Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran.

In December 2022, Pant was returning home from Delhi to Roorkee when he was involved in a horrifying car accident. The time it took him to get back on the pitch was long. At the age of 19, Pooran also experienced a near-fatal car accident in St. Mary’s, Trinidad. He had numerous knee and ankle surgeries, which left him confined to a wheelchair for a long time.

While discussing his relationship with the LSG skipper, Nicholas Pooran—who is having an incredible IPL 2025 season as a batsman—discussed the trauma he shares with Pant.

He had a good friendship with Pant even prior to the incident. We always get along. Every time we can, we get together and talk. “If he’s in the Caribbean or if I’m here,” Nicholas Pooran stated prior to LSG’s matchup with the Mumbai Indians on Sunday, April 27 at the Wankhede Stadium.

“The good news is that we’re playing cricket today, even if the accident was a really regrettable part of our individual lives. And it’s a lovely sensation. Yes, we do share our experiences, though. We do our best to support one another,” the former West Indies T20 skipper continued.

I get to face more balls when I bat at number three: Nicholas Pooran

Pooran batted at No. 5 or No. 6 the previous season. But this time, he is batting at number three, according to the LSG management. This season, the 29-year-old has put up some incredible performances from that position. In nine innings, he has scored 377 runs at a strike rate of 204.89 and an average of 47.12. Pooran discussed his mentality when batting at number three, emphasising his desire to maximise the powerplay overs.

“I have the same attitude. Every chance I get, I try to win games. Batting at number 5 or 6 is obviously a different job. I got to face more balls when I bat at number three. I wanted to take advantage of that, especially before the Powerplay. Therefore, it all comes down to seizing the chance and carrying out the team’s needs,” Nicholas Pooran stated.

Additionally, the southpaw expressed his enjoyment of playing in India. According to him, every cricket player’s dream is to play well in India.

“I’ve been performing in India for some time now. The tracks resemble those we receive back home in that they have pitches with little bounce. However, I felt that I would have an advantage because they are truly good wickets to bat on. I also enjoy playing here in India. Therefore, there is more motivation, particularly in this setting. “Any cricket player’s dream is to perform here, and the fans want you to succeed,” he said.