IPL 2022: This Could Be The Season Of Nicholas Pooran

Nicholas Pooran has been in a sensational touch since 2022 so far and it has been only the end of March. The West Indian has played eight T20 matches in which he has already scored 348 runs at a strike rate of over 131 while averaging 49.71. 

Pooran is a fantastic T20 batter, as most West Indians are, but what makes him so lethal? He is a middle-order batter, is a terrific spin hitter, and a perfect inning controller. 

In IPL, Pooran has played 33 matches in which he has scored 606 runs at a strike rate of 154.98. He has hit more sixes(44) than fours(36). 

What makes him brutal is the way he approaches the innings. In the first 10 balls itself, Pooran's strike rate is 147.30 - third-best in the last three IPL seasons among batters who have faced a minimum of 100 balls. 

In the next 10 balls, it only gets better as his strike rate skyrockets to more than 193 - again third-best among batters facing 100 balls. In only his first 20 deliveries, Pooran does the damage that most batters aren't able to do. 

In the last three seasons, Nicholas Pooran has the best strike rate in overs 7-11 - 180.30 and averages 47.6 (when he doesn't get run out). 

Pooran loves smacking spinners, especially left-arm spin - against whom he has a strike rate of over 261 in the 7-11 overs and 216 in the next five overs. Overall against spin, the West Indian has a strike rate of close to 139. 

Now, the IPL 2022 will be played in Mumbai and Pune. Sunrisers Hyderabad will play three matches at Pune's MCA stadium and the remaining 11 in Mumbai. 

Mumbai will be the paradise for players like Pooran who love getting the ball onto the bat. The straight boundaries and not-so-friendly conditions for the spin will keep the hard-hitting West Indian interested throughout. 

At Pune, where black soil will help spinners a bit more than red soil pitches in Mumbai, SRH will bank on Pooran playing out most of the spin overs and taking on them to keep the run-rate in the middle overs high. 

Also Read: IPL 2022 - Schedule & Squad

Pooran hasn't had a breakthrough IPL season yet but the conditions and his current form could help him become the superstar, he always was, in front of the Indian audiences.