Irfan Pathan commends Nicholas Pooran: The batsman from Kings XI Punjab has impressed the former Indian all-rounder.
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During the 38th match of the ongoing 13th season of the Indian Premier League between Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Capitals in Dubai, Kings XI Punjab batsman Nicholas Pooran registered his second IPL half-century to give his team an advantage in a 165-run chase.
Coming in to bat at No. 4 in the sixth over, Pooran didn’t let Kings XI feel veteran batsman Chris Gayle’s (29) loss. Having faced four balls, Pooran hit Delhi Capitals spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for a boundary to express his intentions.
Much like Gayle, Pooran also attacked Capitals pacer Tushar Deshpande as he hit him for a couple of fours and two sixes in the ninth over. In the next over, Pooran treated DC all-rounder Marcus Stoinis in a similar manner to further up the ante.
Having hit Delhi all-rounder Axar Patel for a gargantuan six in the 11th over, Pooran hit a four off Kagiso Rabada in the 13th over to complete his half-century. In what was a soft dismissal, Pooran ended up gloving the following Rabada delivery to Rishabh Pant behind the stumps to bring an end to his entertaining knock.
With Pooran scoring 53 (28) with the help of six fours and three sixes, Kings XI received a much-needed boost in the middle-overs especially in the absence of their top-order.
Earlier, Capitals scored 164/5 in 20 overs after captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and chose to bat. Having become the first player to score consecutive IPL centuries, Shikhar Dhawan top-scored for his team with 106* (61) with the help of 12 fours and three sixes.
Irfan Pathan commends Nicholas Pooran
Nicholas pooran is a special talent
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 20, 2020
How Twitterati reacted:
Some power packed shots played by @nicholas_47.
What a clean striker of the ball he has been. His stance and backlift reminds me of @jpduminy21.#KXIPvDC #IPL2020— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 20, 2020
Ann astonishing fifty for Nicholas Pooran. This is precisely why he’s one of the most exciting batsmen in world cricket right now. And also a personal favourite. He’s put Kings XI in a winning position. #IPL2020
— Sreshth Shah (@sreshthx) October 20, 2020
smart change in tactics by pooran..no danger of running anyone out if you deposit it out of the ground #KXIPvDC #IPL2020
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) October 20, 2020
When @nicholas_47 adds consistency to his skill, and he is going to very soon, he is going to light up stadiums around the world.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 20, 2020
First there was a Gayle, then it started Pooran…
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) October 20, 2020
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