Nicholas Pooran

- Emerged as a prodigy early on, breaking several school cricket records and gaining attention as a hard-hitting young batsman.

- A stylish left-handed batter and a part-time wicketkeeper, Pooran made headlines at just 16 during the 2013 Caribbean Premier League. He was signed by Trinidad Red Steel, becoming the youngest player in CPL history. He lit up the stage in his first match with a stunning 54 off just 24 balls.

- One of the standout performers representing West Indies in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup - 303 runs in 6 matches at a strike-rate close to 100.

- Just as his career was gaining momentum, he suffered a serious ankle injury in a car accident which sidelined him for nearly two years.

- Made a strong comeback in the 2016 CPL season, scoring 217 runs in 8 matches at a strike-rate of 197.27 (highest SR of the competition). His performances earned him an international debut later that year against Pakistan.

- Controversy followed when he chose to play in the Bangladesh Premier League instead of domestic cricket which resulted in a 10-month ban.

- A major turning point came in 2018 during the Global T20 Canada, where his performances put him back in contention for national selection.

- Scored a 25-ball 53* against India in Chennai, his maiden international fifty.

- Got out for a duck on ODI debut in February 2019.

- Picked for the 2019 World Cup despite playing just one ODI.

- Leading run-getter for WI in the WC - 367 runs, 52.42 average, 100.27 SR, maiden ODI hundred (118) vs Sri Lanka.

- Named West Indies’ white-ball captain in 2022, but stepped down the same year after a disappointing T20 World Cup.

- Highest run-getter (2331) and hit the most number of sixes (170) in T20s in 2024.

- Announced shock international retirement at the age of 29 in June 2025. Retired as the highest run-getter for WI in T20Is.

- Hot commodity in franchise leagues.

IPL through the years

- Bought by Mumbai Indians in 2017 but didn’t feature in a single match. Remained unsold in 2018.

- Punjab Kings bought him for 4.2 crore at the 2019 IPL auction. Scored 168 runs in 6 innings at 157 strike-rate and bettered it in 2020 by scoring 353 runs in 14 innings at a strike-rate of 169.71.

- Released by the Punjab franchise after a disastrous 2021 season - 11 innings, 85 runs, 7.72 average, 111.84 strike rate and 4 ducks.

- Sunrisers Hyderabad bought him for INR 10.75 crore at the 2022 IPL mega auction. Scored 300+ runs but was released by SRH.

- Lucknow Super Giants snapped him for INR 16 lakh at the 2023 IPL auction - fourth costliest buy at that auction.

- Two excellent seasons for LSG. In 2024 - 14 innings, 499 runs, 62.37 average, 178.21 SR, 3 fifties. In 2025 - 14 innings, 524 runs, 43.66 average, 196.25 SR, 5 fifties.