IPL 2023: Nicholas Pooran became the most expensive wicketkeeper batter in IPL auction history when he was signed by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 16 crore on Friday at the IPL 2023 auction in Kochi.
At the starting price of Rs. 2 crores, Chennai Super Kings began the bidding process. The four-time champion was challenged by Rajasthan Royals as the price surpassed Rs. 3 crores.
The entry fee for Delhi Capitals was Rs. 3.60 crore. Beyond Rs. 6 crores, the Capitals and Royals remained locked in a struggle. With an initial entry fee of Rs. 7.25 crores, Lucknow Super Giants eventually paid more than Rs. 10 crores.
No team gave in, raising the cost to almost Rs. 15 crores. The player was finally signed by the K.L. Rahul-led team after the Capitals decided to withdraw from the bidding when the price reached Rs 16 crores.
IPL 2023: Nicholas Pooran Steps Down from Captaincy
Prior to the T20 World Cup in Australia, Nicholas Pooran was named captain of the West Indies team. However, he resigned after the side was eliminated in the group round.
The wicketkeeper-performance batter had declined ever since he became the leader of the Caribbean team in the white-ball format. Nicholas Pooran made a major choice and resigned as captain after the West Indies’ embarrassing failure to advance to the Super 12 during the T20 World Cup 2022 season.
At franchise-based league events since then, he has delivered performances that have changed the game. At the Abu Dhabi T10 League, he excelled and regained his form. Fans will be interested to watch what Nicholas Pooran contributes to the KL Rahul-led Lucknow Super Giants’ hitting unit now that he has joined the team.
READ MORE: Ben Stokes Sold for 16.25 Crore to Chennai Super Kings
IPL 2023: Nicholas Pooran’s IPL History
He was purchased by the Mumbai Indians squad for INR 30 lakhs in February 2017 in preparation for the 2017 Indian Premier League, although he didn’t play a single game the entire year.
Nicholas Pooran was a significant acquisition for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the last season as well, costing INR 10.75 crore. But he fell short of the standards and was fired from the franchise as a result. LSG continued to have faith in him despite a string of subpar performances and hired him for INR 16 crore.
In the IPL auctions, Nicholas Pooran’s journey had only shown an upward trend. Punjab Kings paid him INR 4.20 crore in 2019, INR 10.75 crore in 2022, and INR 16 crore in the most recent auction after buying him. Fans of LSG will have high expectations for the wicketkeeper-batter as the team strives to win their first championship.
