Nicholas Pooran produced yet another batting masterclass in IPL 2025, smashing an unbeaten 87 from a mere 36 deliveries against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Tuesday, April 8. His blistering knock, with eight sixes and seven fours, took Lucknow Super Giants to a mammoth total of 238 for 3.

Nicholas Pooran came into the crease during the 11th over and straight away switched gears, coming out with an attacking onslaught on the KKR bowlers. Batting with Mitchell Marsh, the West Indies giant compiled a 71-run standoff off merely 30 deliveries, turning the tables in LSG’s favour.

Record-Breaking Form Continues

Pooran just fell short of a maiden IPL century as a defensive final over by Vaibhav Arora kept him at bay. But he easily bettered his highest IPL score of 77. Pooran now tops the IPL 2025 run charts with 288 runs in five games at an incredible strike rate of 225. He has already hit three fifties this season.

He did not hold back ?

Nicholas Pooran won the Battle of Calypso ? Andre Russell ?

One word for his 36-ball 87* ?

Updates ▶ https://t.co/3bQPKnwPTU #TATAIPL | #KKRvLSG | @nicholas_47 pic.twitter.com/iGV92lTczN

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 8, 2025

Marsh is not too behind, ranking second in the run count with 265 runs, four of them half-centuries. Their consistency has been the biggest addition to LSG’s campaign.

Power-Hitting at Its Best

Pooran’s power-hitting figures this season are mind-boggling. He has hit the ropes every 8.05 balls in IPL history—second only to Andre Russell (6.87). In death overs, Pooran’s strike rate has always remained above 200 for all balls except Yorkers.

Pooran was praised by fans for his ability to perform under pressure, particularly given his huge ₹21 crore price tag—the highest-ever IPL retention. His form this season vindicates the investment, after record-breaking tallies of 358 and 499 runs in the last two seasons.

Markram, Marsh Set the Stage

Earlier, Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh provided LSG with a good start with a 99-run opening partnership. Markram brought early momentum with a 27-ball 47 in the powerplay, while Marsh smashed his way to 81 off 48 balls, becoming the first player to reach 250 runs in the tournament.

LSG’s firepower batting ensured that skipper Rishabh Pant did not even need to make an appearance to bat. Instead, Abdul Samad and David Miller were promoted to enable the side to tinker with the order in the latter overs.

With form and firepower in their favour, Lucknow Super Giants remain likeable title prospects.