In the Lucknow Super Giants’ five-wicket victory against Sunrisers’ Hyderabad, former India batsman Robin Uthappa praised Nicholas Pooran’s scorching innings, saying the West Indian showed total control over the SRH bowlers to help his team win for the first time this season.

The 29-year-old Pooran, who was chasing 191, put on another outstanding display of his batting prowess, scoring a fifty in only 18 balls to set a new IPL 2025 record. He also accumulated 116 runs for the second wicket with Mitchell Marsh (52 off 31), before being dismissed for 70 off 26 balls. He hit six fours and six maximums in his scorching knock.

Pooran recorded a half-century for the second time in a row during this year’s IPL, which enabled the left-hander to win the Orange Cap as the top run scorer in the competition. Pooran had hit 75 off only 30 balls in LSG’s first defeat against the Delhi Capitals.

“He was only playing the ball’s merits. His strategy is such that he doesn’t second-guess himself if the delivery is in his desired areas. He did just that today. He sets himself to take advantage of any loose deliveries while facing spinners, particularly left-arm and leg spinners.

“You send a strong message that you are unstoppable when you take on someone like Adam Zampa in his opening over and thrash him for 19 runs.” Pure domination is just what Pooran displayed today. Uthappa said on JioHotstar that his 17 boundaries off of 26 deliveries were “power-hitting of the highest order.”

Shardul Thakur’s bowling display set the scene for Pooran and Marsh’s thrilling batting display. After joining the LSG team late, the rounder took four wickets (4–34) to reach the 100-wicket mark in the IPL.

Uthappa said, “They say all’s well that ends well, and right now, Shardul embodies that,” in reference to Thakur’s bowling display. He should have been selected and sold for a high price, but he was unfortunate in the auctions. However, because of the unpredictability of the auction dynamics, he was not sold. It’s still confusing to me. But he accepted it, went back to playing first-class cricket, and did a fantastic job.”

“It is just amazing to enter the IPL and begin in this manner. He is capable of so much more. He showed in the last game that even though he could give up a few runs, he always manages to make breakthroughs. He may seem pricey when he doesn’t take wickets, but when he does, he is excellent. Even though he only got two overs in the first game, I thought he should have bowled more. I’m happy he hit all four of his allotted runs this time,” Uthappa said.