IPL 2025: Nicholas Pooran sets records with 18-ball fifty
What's the story
West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran took the center stage with another blazing knock in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Pooran starred in Lucknow Super Giants's run-chase against Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
The Caribbean dasher came out all guns blazing, powering LSG in their chase of 191 runs. He hammered an 18-ball fifty, smashing 70(26).
Knock
Another blistering knock from Pooran
LSG lost Aiden Markram quite early in the run-chase. However, his dismissal didn't affect them much, as the Pooran show followed.
The Caribbean dasher added a century-plus stand with Mitchell Marsh. While Marsh played second fiddle, Pooran steered the Orange Army past 100 in just 7.3 overs.
He smashed 70 off just 26 balls (6 fours and 6 sixes) before falling to Pat Cummins.
Fifty
Second-fastest IPL fifty for LSG
Pooran raced to his fifty off just 18 balls, the fastest of the ongoing season.
As per Cricbuzz, this was also the second-fastest half-century for LSG in the IPL. The fastest fifty in this regard also belongs to him (15 balls vs RCB in Bengaluru in 2023).
Notably, Pooran has crossed the 50-run mark in each of his two knocks this season.
Information
Another feat for Pooran
As per Cricbuzz, Pooran has reached 50 in fewer than 20 balls four times, the most in the IPL. Travis Head and Jake Fraser-McGurk follow the Caribbean batter with three such scores each.
Form
Pooran's sublime form
Pooran continues his rich vein of form in the ongoing IPL season.
He hammered 75 off just 30 balls in LSG's opener against DC, albeit in a losing cause.
In the same innings, Pooran became only the fourth player to complete 600-plus sixes in T20 cricket, joining the likes of Chris Gayle (1,056), Kieron Pollard (908), and Andre Russell (733).
Milestone
Pooran completes 1,000 runs for LSG
During his knock against SRH, Pooran also completed 1,000 runs for LSG in the IPL. He became only the second player with this feat.
Pooran is only behind KL Rahul (1,410) in terms of IPL runs for LSG.
Overall, Pooran has now raced to 1,914 runs from 78 IPL games with a strike-rate of 167.01. His tally includes 11 half-centuries.