Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra believes that Nicholas Pooran will be critical to Lucknow Super Giants’ success in IPL 2023.
With a purse amount of 23.35 Crores remaining ahead of the IPL 2023 auction, Lucknow Super Giants needed a quality middle-order batter and a few bowlers.
Interestingly, Lucknow Super Giants going all-out for Nicholas Pooran to solidify their middle order. As a result, they splashed out INR 16 Crore for securing the services of the former Caribbean skipper.
Nicholas Pooran was impressive in the IPL 2022 while scoring 306 runs in 14 innings. He emerged as the backbone of the Sunrisers Hyderabad batting line-up and justified his high price tag of 10.75 Crores.
However, Sunrisers released him ahead of the IPL 2023 auction, which was a shocking decision from the franchise. Afterward, Pooran managed to bag his best deal in the cash-rich league. The key reason for the price was his sensational form in Abu Dhabi T10 League.
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Lucknow Super Giants fortunes will depend on Nicholas Pooran, says Aakash Chopra
Chopra thinks Lucknow Super Giants broke the bank to secure the services of Nicholas Pooran, which will put the batter under pressure. He reckoned that the franchise hasn’t been able to use Marcus Stoinis well, and needs both batters to work in tandem.
Last year, Lucknow Super Giants relied on openers, KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock to post big totals on the board. They could not be potent enough with their performances in the middle order. Deepak Hooda did well, but the likes of Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, and Stoinis were inconsistent.
“Nicholas Pooran is their biggest purchase. They broke the entire bank on Nicholas Pooran. Their fortunes will solely depend on how they use Nicholas Pooran and Marcus Stoinis. They haven’t been able to use Marcus Stoinis well thus far. We will have to see how Nicholas Pooran plays because he might just hold the key to everything.”
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Further, Chopra termed Lucknow Super Giants’ decision to acquire Jaydev Unadkat at his base price a good acquisition. Also, he believes that all-rounders like Daniel Sams and Romario Shepherd are a good addition as well.
Lucknow Super Giants qualified for the playoffs, but could not seal their place in the final. They would look to go a few steps further in the IPL 2023 with a balanced squad.
