The world record holder for the highest individual scores in both Test cricket (400 not out) and First-Class cricket (501 not out) has also been gracious enough to lend his knowledge of the game to the current crop of players and has been appointed as the batting coach for the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad.
One of his pupils will be his Trinidadian countryman and fellow stylish left-hander Nicholas Pooran, a prospect the current West Indies T20 vice-captain is excited about.
“Yeah, we have had a couple of conversations in the recent past. He's simply superb, amazing when it comes to batting and how he views the game. So yeah, looking forward to that opportunity to work with him,” Pooran said in an interview with ESPNCricinfo.
The West Indian great Lara scored 11,953 runs in Test cricket with 34 hundreds at an average of 52.88 in 131 matches. He scored 10,405 runs in 299 ODIs with 19 hundreds at an average of 40.48.
The 2022 edition of the IPL kicks off on March 26th while Pooran and Lara’s Sunrisers have their first game on March 29th against the Rajasthan Royals.
Pooran is coming off scores of 61, 62 and 61 in the three T20 Internationals against India last month and if his current form is anything to go by, he should have a stellar IPL season. The input of Brian Lara should certainly help.
Originally, KL Rahul, who captained LSG for the past two seasons, was anticipated to be the top retention choice. However, with Rahul’s departure, Pooran stepped into the role, securing an 18 crore (approximately US$2 million) paycheck — the highest of his IPL career. LSG previously invested heavily in Pooran, acquiring him for ₹16 crore (around US$1.9 million) ahead of the 2023 season following his release by Sunrisers Hyderabad.
“Pooran is committed to LSG, possesses a winning mindset, thinks deeply, and, above all, is adaptable to the batting order and any match situation,” a source close to the franchise said, explaining the rationale behind the hefty retention.
Pooran's remarkable performance last season backs LSG’s decision. He was among the top run-scorers, amassing 499 runs at an impressive average of 62.38 and a strike rate of 178.21, with three half-centuries. His impact continued through 2024, where he’s emerged as the leading run-scorer in all formats of T20 cricket, hammering 2251 runs from 68 games. This places him well above other marquee T20 players, with the closest Indian contender, Virat Kohli, ranked significantly lower.
With Pooran’s position secured, LSG is expected to retain a core group that includes spinner Ravi Bishnoi, young fast bowler Mayank Yadav, promising batsman Ayush Badoni, and left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan. Heading into the IPL mega-auction next month, LSG has a substantial purse of 69 crore, which will be used to fill 15 slots, rounding out a strong team.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul is anticipated to be one of the most sought-after players in the auction. Rumors suggest that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) may be keen to bring Rahul back, particularly as veteran Faf du Plessis, now 40, nears the latter stages of his career. Rahul began his IPL journey with RCB in 2014, and a return could provide stability and leadership for the Bangalore-based team.
As the IPL gears up for the 2025 season, Pooran’s elevation to LSG’s primary retention spot marks a significant moment for both the franchise and the player, with both hoping his performance will further solidify LSG’s stature in the league.
Despite Lucknow's loss, Pooran's aggressive innings stood out as he struck four sixes and two fours to provide a much-needed boost to his team's total. His performance, coming in at number six, helped Lucknow Super Giants post a competitive score of 161 for 7.
Kolkata Knight Riders' Mitchell Starc proved to be a significant obstacle for Lucknow, claiming three crucial wickets for 28 runs, including that of Pooran in the final over. Starc's exceptional bowling performance played a pivotal role in restricting Lucknow's run-scoring capabilities in the latter stages of the innings.
Starc got support from Sunil Narine, who failed with the bat, only making six, but bowled well, picking up 1-17 from his quota of overs. Andre Russell was expensive conceding 16 runs but also taking a wicket in the emphatic victory.
Lucknow's hopes were further dashed as Kolkata Knight Riders' Phil Salt dominated the chase with an unbeaten 89 off 47 balls, steering his team to victory with ease. Salt's aggressive batting display, combined with a composed innings of 38 not out from Shreyas Iyer, propelled Kolkata Knight Riders to their target with eight wickets in hand.
The Universe Boss made a 45-ball 53 before he was run-out on the penultimate ball of the match as KXIP pulled off an eight-wicket win over the Royal Challengers Bangalore in Sharjah. After a cautious start, Gayle and Player of the Match KL Rahul, who scored an unbeaten 61, put on a match-winning partnership of 93 to lift KXIP to only their second win of the season.
RCB had scored 171 for 6, setting KXIP 172 to win.
Afterwards, Gayle was his usual confident self.
“Not really nervous. I mean, come on. It's Universe Boss batting, how can I be nervous,” he said explaining that the pitch was not the best but his focus was on helping his team to a well-needed win.
“It was a very sticky surface, very slow, but it was better batting second,” he said. The team asked me to do a job at three and it wasn't an issue,” he said while explaining the team decision to have him come one down as opposed to playing in his usual spot as opener.
“(The) openers been batting well throughout the tournament and we didn't want to disturb that. Like I said, I was given a job and took it. All I was saying, put some respect on the name [by pointing to his bat sticker]. That's all.”
Gayle, the big Windies left-hander, has his name etched on a host of IPL records and accomplishments at the top of the order in the IPL. The opening batsman has the tournament’s highest individual score (175), most sixes (326), fastest century and the most 100s (6). The Australian, however, has 222 more runs overall, in one more match than Gayle, and has also scored the most 50s with 44.
While acknowledging Gayle’s explosiveness as an opener, Chopra explains he chose Warner based on consistency.
“My first pick is David Warner, the first overseas player as an opener. You will also think of Chris Gayle, but he is not more consistent than David Warner,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“He [Gayle] has been explosive but Warner is not behind anyone. So, Warner as one of the overseas players. He has been one of the most consistent batsmen ever.”
Mystery spinner and sometimes pinch hitter Sunil Narine was the only West Indian to make Chopra’s XI, with the former opener also finding no place for another big hitter and fan favourite Andre Russell.
Aakash Chopra’s All-time IPL XI
- David Warner
- Rohit Sharma
3. Virat Kohli
- Suresh Raina
- AB de Villiers
- MS Dhoni
- Sunil Narine
- Harbhajan Singh
9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Lasith Malinga
- Jasprit Bumrah
Typically, a reliable source of runs for five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians, Pollard has struggled mightily to make an impact this season. In 11 IPL matches so far, the big West Indian has scored just 144 runs at an average of 14.40 and with a strike rate of 107.46. The ball-striking tally is the player’s lowest since he made his debut in the IPL in 2010.
Having retired from international cricket a few weeks ago, some have suggested that it might be time for Pollard to take another step in moving away from the sport entirely. While acknowledging that he has struggled in the tournament this season, Bishop believes the player could still have a bit more left in the tank.
"People are saying he's washed, I'm not going to go there. I think he's a player who can reinvent himself,” Bishop told Espncricinfo.
"You look at Pollard's numbers when Mumbai have won the championships: 400 runs in 2013 at 42, up to 2019 and 2020, where he averaged over 30 with a strike rate sometimes in the 160s to 190s - he's been integral to them. You can't forget that as a franchise, so they're giving him every possible chance,” he added.
Despite the franchise choosing to stick with the veteran player, however, Bishop insists it’s up to Pollard to adjust.
"Pollard himself has to reinvent his game, however, he chooses to do that, because he's still got a future ahead of him we hope.”
During a press conference on Monday with Lead Selector Desmond Haynes, Adams, who was also present, was asked whether this was the case in the wake of the recent development wherein Shimron Hetmyer took time off from the IPL to attend the birth of his child in Guyana, promising to return to complete the season, but using the same reason, has declared himself unavailable for the West Indies white-ball tours of The Netherlands and Pakistan that start later this month.
There have also been instances in the past where players have declined invitations to represent the West Indies choosing instead to play franchise cricket.
“You will have players who will opt not to take contracts because they want the freedom to go and play whenever and wherever. While I respect that, by the same token I think we kind of understand where those players’ priorities lie. There could be a few others like that around. We live with them and we move on if we have to,” Adams said.
“I don’t think that is a majority, I don’t think it impacts us in a negative sense, per se. We have had many players in the last few years who have played, who are not contracted players - your Chris Gayles, your Andre Russells.
“Yes, it needs managing for sure at both the international and the levels within the regions around the world. I think given where we are now in world cricket, and I believe where we are now in West Indies cricket, that we are doing a pretty good job of it.”
That said, Adams does concede that in regions like the West Indies where player contracts pale in comparison to those offered by the wealthy owners of IPL franchises, there is little that can be done.
“T20 cricket and the leagues are here to stay. I don’t necessarily think that they are a bad thing. At the end of the day what players have nowadays that they did not have in my time and Sir Desmond’s time was choice and I don’t think choice is a bad thing.
“We try to ensure we don’t have any overlaps with either IPL or CPL, so all our contracted players know that there is a minimum of two windows where they will not have any competing international cricket. As it stands now it is not something that sees us losing control.”
Batting first, Mumbai were struggling at 101 for 4 after 13 overs after Pollard was bowled by Shreyas Gopal for 6. At 7.76 an over, Mumbai were looking at a score of between 155 and 170. However, Pandya smashed 60 that included two fours and seven sixes while facing just 21 balls to propel Mumbai to a competitive 195 for 5.
What they didn’t bank on was Ben Stokes smearing Mumbai’s bowlers all over the park, scoring an unbeaten 107 from 60 balls and Sanju Sampson’s 54 from 31 balls to see the Royals race to 196 for 2 with all of 10 balls to spare.
Pollard, filling in for a second game for Rohit Sharma, who is out with an injured hamstring paid tribute to Stokes but felt for Pandya, whose heroic efforts were in vain.
“I thought Hardik brought us straight back into the game, but well played to Stokes and well played to Samson,” said Pollard who now has one loss and a win as the stand-in captain.
He believed the conditions helped the Royals more than they did Mumbai.
“The wicket ended up being a good wicket with a little bit of dew. It played into their strengths. But having said that, well played to the opposition,” said Pollard, who was not particularly concerned that the loss would impact Mumbai’s ambitions of being among the top-two teams at the end of the regular season.
“It really doesn't do much to the campaign, we still have three games to do. We just have to come out with good cricket. Our bowlers tried but it wasn't meant to be today,” he said.
“[Hardik] keeps showing time and time again, doesn't matter the position of the team. Tough luck an innings like that he ends up on the losing side.”
Pollard remains just two sixes shy of 200 IPL sixes, a feat which has been achieved by just five other five batsmen. At the top of the list is Pollard’s compatriot and Punjab Kings batsman Chris Gayle (349), Royal Challengers Bangalore premier batsman AB de Villiers is next (235), followed by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni (216), Mumbai Indians (MI) Rohit Sharma (213), and RCB skipper Virat Kohli (201) close the list.
In Friday’s encounter, Pollard was, however, undone by a slower delivery from Harshal Patel and caught in the deep by Washington Sundar. The player’s 7 runs consisted of just one four with no sixes. RCB won the thrilling encounter by just two wickets. Batting first Mumbai made 159 for 8 before RCB, needing 7 off the last over, ended with 160 for 8 off the final ball of the over. RCB batsman AB De Villiers top-scored with 48 from 27 deliveries.
After a slow start to the campaign, Pollard exploded into life on Saturday hitting 35 from just 22 balls, lifting Mumbai to 150. The West Indian’s knock consisted of three sixes, in the end playing a crucial role in a 13-run win.
Pollard became the 6th batter to get past 200 sixes in the IPL. The list is led by his compatriot Gayle who has hit 351 sixes, 114 more than 2nd-placed AB de Villiers. Rohit Sharma is third on the list followed by MS Dhoni. Pollard went level with Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli after finishing the Mumbai Indians innings on Saturday with 201 sixes.
Pollard is, however, the only man among the top 10 on the list for most boundaries in the IPL with more sixes than fours — 201 sixes, 199 fours. Pollard also became only the third overseas player after Gayle and de Villiers to hit 200 sixes.
With KL Rahul, who has led the franchise since its inception in 2022, unlikely to be retained barring any last-minute change of mind from both parties, LSG will have one right-to-match (RTM) card at the auction.
It is understood that Pooran will be the top retention followed by Mayank and Bishnoi.
In 2024, Pooran had his best IPL season to date with 499 runs in 14 innings at an average of 62.37 including three fifties.
Considered one of the best power-hitters in the game, Pooran, 29, was bought by LSG ahead of the 2023 season for INR 16 crore (USD 1.927 million approx).
Pooran's price tag has continued to soar since his maiden IPL season in 2017 when Mumbai Indians bought him for INR 30 lakhs.
Two years later, Punjab Kings bought him for INR 4.2 crore ($575,000 approx). At the 2022 mega auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad paid INR 10.75 crore ($1.433 million approx then) before releasing him a season later.
South African wicketkeeper batsman Heinrich Klaasen led the way with a 29-ball 47 as the Sunrisers posted 182-6 off their 20 overs after winning the toss. Opener Anmolpreet Singh (36) and captain Aiden Markram (28) also made good contributions against 2-24 from Krunal Pandya.
The successful Super Giants chase was then led by Mankad, who brought up his maiden IPL fifty on the way to a top-score of 64* off 45 balls including seven fours and two sixes.
He was joined in the end by Pooran who smashed the Sunrisers bowling to all parts on the way to a brutal 44* off just 13 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes in the process.
Australian Marcus Stoinis also contributed 40 as Lucknow reached 185-3 in 19.2 overs.
Lucknow are now fourth in the table with 13 points from 12 games.
Such marks will, however, not be easy to eclipse. India batsman K.L. Rahul currently holds the record for the fastest 50, achieved in a meagre 14 balls, in 2018. The fastest century was smacked by no other than legendary West Indian batsman Chris Gayle who reached the mark, in 2013, in just 30 deliveries.
Pooran has, however, looked in good form recently. Just last month, he cracked 10 sixes in a 45-ball epic worth 100 runs for Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
"Any. Fastest fifty or the fastest hundred,” Pooran replied when asked which record, he would like to break in a recent Espn Cricinfo interview.
The player, however, also reflected on his performance in the IPL, which he believes could have been better.
"I don't think that I've too many great IPL performances. I had a couple of scores last year and the one against the KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders) was good."
The batsman represented Kings XI Punjab in the IPL last season.
The 25-year-old Trinidadian raced to 77 from just 37 balls smashing seven massive sixes and five fours as KXIP chased the 201 set by Sunrisers Hyderabad in their 20 overs.
The ninth over of the KXIP was especially memorable for the 28 runs Pooran scored off the bowling of Abdul Samad’s leg-break deliveries.
Pooran smashed four sixes and a four in the over. He slammed the fourth ball over long off for the third six in the over that brought up his 50 in just 17 balls, the fastest so far this season.
Moody, the former all-rounder turned commentator and administrator, has been watching Pooran for a number of years now in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and in the IPL and believes the batsman has an exciting future ahead of him.
“I don’t think there are better strikers of the ball in world cricket than Nicholas Pooran,” said Moody while speaking on T20 Timeout.
“He times the ball. He has got a wonderful bat swing. It’s a bit like Yuvraj Singh’s bat swing. It’s very long and elegant one that not only possesses a huge amount of power but incredible timing, hits the ball a long, long way and he seems to do it for fun.”
The former all-rounder continued: “I think this is just the beginning of an exciting number of years for Nicholas Pooran in IPL cricket and cricket outside the IPL.”
Agarkar, the former Indian fast bowler, was in agreement.
“Those sixes were massive sixes,” he said. “Just beautiful timing every time he hits the ball, pace and spin, it’s not one or the other, and just bats beautifully.”
Pooran has struggled to make an impact in six matches so far this season, managing just a high score of 19 and failing to score on three occasions. Gayle has had more of a mixed performance, scoring 40 plus on two occasions but also had a series of low scores, including a golden duck in the team’s last encounter against Kolkata Knightriders.
Ojha, however, believes that the team’s top two KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal might be thinking about scoring too quickly and posting too big a target too early in the innings.
"They should think about 160-170 at first. But if you start thinking from the beginning that we have a very good batting line-up with Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran and we should aim 180-190 then you are putting undue pressure on (them),” Ojha told Cricbuzz.
"You can only think about a big score once you have got a good start. So you have to change your plans accordingly. You can't think that you have big names and they will always score runs. You have the look at the kind of form they are in too. Can't plan based on past glory," Ojha added.
The Guyanese batsman made a 19-ball 35 that included a four and four sixes as he tried to get Royals back into the game after crashing to 31-6 after seven overs, chasing RCB’s 171-5. Former England captain Joe Root, who made 10 was the only other batter in double figures for Royals, who were skittled out for 59 in 10.3 overs.
Wayne Parnell was responsible for much of the destruction taking 3-10 from three overs. Michael Bracewell, 2-16, Karn Sharma 2-19 and Glen Maxwell 1-3 provided useful support in the rout.
Earlier, Maxwell scored 54 and Faf du Plessis 55 and Anuj Rawat provided the bulk of the scoring for RCB, who were recording their second win in their last five matches to be fifth in the league table.
Adam Zampa 2-25 and KM Asif 2-42 were the primary wicket-takers for Royals, who were losing their fourth in their last five matches.
Currently, the 40-year-old big hitter has tallied a total of 978 sixes in T20 cricket so far. If he can add another 22 to his 326 IPL sixes, the batsman will repeat the all too familiar habit of writing his name in the T20 cricket record books.
Gayle will be odds on favourite to achieve the feat as well. In 11 seasons of IPL cricket to date, he has never failed to hit 22 sixes. Last season he cleared the boundary rope 34 times and 27 times in the previous season. Should he reach the tally it would only add to an already impressive resume racked up for the format.
Gayle has scored the most runs in T20 cricket (13,296), has the highest score (175), most sixes in an innings (18), and the fastest 100. He has also hit the most fours with 1,026.
The West Indian is currently in training camp in Dubai, where he is preparing to face the new IPL season with Kings XI Punjab. The batsman had been slated to take part in the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for beaten finalist, St Lucia Zouks, but pulled out of the competition due to personal reasons.
West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd is no different.
The Guyanese fast bowler and right-handed batsman, who dazzled with the bat with an unbeaten 44 in the second T20 international between the West Indies and England yesterday, has put his name in the last three IPL auctions but is yet to be awarded a contract.
Speaking in a press conference today, Shepherd says the dream, which at this point is very close to reality, is still alive.
“It’s a great platform for any youngster. Many people dream to go to the IPL and I’m no different. It’s something that I’ve dreamed about for a very long time. My name was in the draft for the last three years so this year I’m definitely looking forward to it,” he said.
In the midst of a five-match T20I series with England at the moment, Shepherd says his full focus is on helping the West Indies win.
“I’m trying my best to get there but, at the same time, trying my best to help us win this series. I try to focus on what is at hand right now and try to put my all in there. Eventually, if an IPL contract comes that would be great for me but I try not to think about it while in the game,” Shepherd said.
Shepherd has so far played 11 T20 Internationals with 100 runs and eight wickets to his name.
The IPL player auction is scheduled to take place on February 12 and 13 and he will have another opportunity to enhance his reputation when the West Indies and England square off in the third of five T20 internationals in Barbados on Wednesday.
Powell's Rajasthan Royals clinched a thrilling victory over Narine's Kolkata Knight Riders by two wickets at Eden Gardens on Tuesday, but it was Narine's exceptional century that captured attention and reignited discussions about his international comeback.
Just days ago, Narine had been adamant about watching the T20 World Cup from home after announcing his retirement from international cricket in November 2023. However, his post-match remarks on Tuesday hinted at a potential change of heart.
"It is what it is, but let's see what the future holds," Narine stated when asked about reconsidering his retirement decision after his stellar performance.
Powell, determined to sway Narine's decision, disclosed his ongoing efforts to convince the seasoned cricketer to return to the West Indies squad.
"For the last 12 months, I've been whispering in his ears, but he's blocked out everyone," Powell revealed. "I've asked Pollard, Bravo, Pooran. Hopefully, before they select the team, they can crack his code," Powell revealed.
Powell's persistence underscores the value Narine could bring to the West Indies team, especially in a high-stakes tournament like the T20 World Cup. Narine's experience, coupled with his remarkable skills showcased in domestic leagues, makes him an enticing prospect for Powell and other team selectors.
As Powell and his counterparts continue to advocate for Narine's return, cricket fans eagerly await Narine's final decision, which could have significant implications for the West Indies' T20 World Cup campaign. Will Narine heed Powell's call and make a dramatic comeback to international cricket? Only time will tell as the tournament approaches and team selections are finalized.
The big hitter became the sixth West Indian to reach the mark behind the likes of Dwayne Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Kieron Pollard on top run-getter Chris Gayle. Russell is, however, the youngest West Indian player to reach the total.
Russell, who was celebrating his birthday, reached the milestone with a double in the 16th over of the match. He went on to blast an unbeaten 45 from 27 deliveries but Delhi won the match by 7 runs.
Overall, Russell has played 80 matches in the Indian Premier League, scoring 1635 runs at an average of 29.68 with a strike rate of 179.67 and a high score of 88*. He has also taken 68 wickets in IPL so far, at an economy rate of 9.08 and an average of 26.86.
This season the player is off to a strong start for Kolkata, scoring 118 runs in six matches at a solid strike rate of 151. He has also claimed seven wickets in six games. Things have, however, not gone well for KKR who have lost four of their first 6 games.
