Nicholas Pooran had fired in fits and starts since his debut in the IPL in 2019 with PBKS. But Lucknow SuperGiants picked him in 2023, and from then on he has become a consistently potent force. Last year, he was exceptional for LSG as he racked up 499 runs at 62.37 and a strike rate of 178.31. And this year he has been a beast unleashed at one-drop for the Lucknow team. 

This afternoon, he again exploded with another of his swashbuckling innings as LSG sauntered past Gujarat Titans at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, reaching the tricky victory target of 181 with six wickets and 3 balls to spare. The match was won only in the last over. But it was actually over much before. 

Pooran has scored 4 fifties (including this one) in 6 matches, and it is just not consistency alone that marks him out. His strike rate is over 216.77. That is staggering. His 61 off 34 balls today also made him the orange cap holder this season ahead of Sai Sudharsan. Pooran this season has so far scored  349 runs in 6 innings --- he has hit more sixers than fours (31 and 26). It shows his hitting has been clinical and no hesitancy.

Aiden Markram was Pooran's partner in crime today as he hammered 58 in 31 deliveries. LSG's successful chase today was the second highest in this stadium where batting second has not been all that easy. 

Earlier, Inserted in, GT made 180 for 6, a sub-par score especially after an century stand for the opening wicket by captain Shubman Gill and the ever consistent Sai Sudharsan. The duo put on 120 in 12.1 overs. After that the batters just lost their way and GT ended with 180 for 6. LSG was less than impressive in the fielding as Sai Sudharsan was dropped on 46, a costly miss that allowed GT to maintain their momentum. He was out 10 runs later at his score of 56 (37). Gill hit 60 of 38 deliveries. The only other player to get past 20 was Shefane Rutherford (22 off 19). GT just lost its way in the last 8 overs of its batting. The match was won and lost there. Of course, Pooran made it a no-contest later.

The LSG bowling was steady, especially Shardul Thakur and Ravi Bishnoi, both claiming 2 wickets each. The most economical bowler was, as usual, Digvesh Rathi with his 4 overs going for 30. He claimed the all-important wicket  of Jos Buttler.  

This win and the batting form of Pooran, Markram (and Mitchell Marsh, who was not available for this match) makes LSG a potent team. Its playoff chances have brightened after this win --- its third on the trot. GT's loss must be sobering for it as it was the momentum team going into this tie.  Its bowling was also not all that on the dot today. Mohd Siraj, Sai Kishore, its consistent performers hitherto, had a bad day in the office. Prasidh Krishna with 2 wickets was the most successful bowler for GT. Washington Sundar also picked one towards the end.The declining returns for Rashid Khan are also worrying, though he snapped Pooran towards the end. Buttler also missed a runout to reprieve David Miller. 

LSG punched above its weight and proved a point to itself and others.  The batting form of Rishabh Pant though is a worry. David Miller has also not been in any great nick. 

But with Pooran in this vein, LSG can afford to go all-in in the remaining matches. GT, thanks to this loss, is now pushed to the second spot in the table while LSG has made it to the third place.