Nicholas Pooran hailed as current best T20 player: Details here
What's the story
Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has hailed Nicholas Pooran as the top T20 player in today's game.
The recognition comes after Pooran's stunning performance helped Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) defeat Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2025.
The West Indies international played a key role in LSG's five-wicket victory over SRH, scoring an explosive 70 runs off just 26 balls and guiding his team to chase down a target of 191 runs.
Here's more.
Consistent displays
Harbhajan praises Pooran's consistent performance
On Thursday, former Indian spinner Harbhajan, took to X to laud Pooran for his consistent performances in the IPL.
"Currently Nicholas Pooran is the best player of T20 format. Period!" he said, emphasizing the West Indies cricketer's enormous contribution to the game.
This praise from Bhajji only further cements Pooran's place as a T20 cricketing beast today.
Statistical highlights
Pooran's impressive statistics in IPL 2025
Pooran has begun his IPL 2025 campaign on a high, scoring a stunning 75 runs off just 30 balls against Delhi Capitals, despite LSG losing that match.
And now, he followed that up with a 26-ball 70 versus SRH.
He currently holds the Orange Cap in this edition of the tournament with a stunning tally of 145 runs from two games at an average of 72.50 and a strike rate of nearly 259.
He owns 12 fours and 13 sixes.
Franchise milestones
Pooran's journey with LSG and power-hitting prowess
With LSG, Pooran has also made history by becoming the second player after KL Rahul to score over 1,000 runs for the franchise.
The wicketkeeper-batter now owns 1,002 runs and has hammered seven fifties.
He did so in just 31 matches at an average of nearly 45.54 and a strike rate of 184.53.
His incredible power-hitting skills have seen him reach 50 runs in less than 20 balls on four occasions - more than any other player in IPL history.
Stats
A look at Pooran's overall IPL and T20 stats
The West Indies player has now raced to 1,914 IPL runs across 78 matches. He owns an average of 33.58 while striking at 167.02.
Additionally, he also owns 11 fifties and a high score of 77.
According to ESPNcricinfo, in T20s, he has amassed 8,787 runs at 29.19, with a strike rate of 149.48 (386 matches).
Pooran also boasts three tons and 53 half-centuries alongside a high score of 102*.
Twitter Post
Harbhajan's X post lauding Pooran
Currently Nicholas Pooran is the best player of T20 format . Period ! @nicholas_47 ♠️ @IPL
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) March 27, 2025