Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) batsman Nicholas Pooran is facing heavy criticism for his form and body language on the field after yet another flop show during his team’s crushing seven-wicket defeat to Gujarat Titans in the ongoing IPL 2026 on Sunday, April 12.
Nicholas Pooran’s underwhelming form continued in the ongoing season as the West Indies star scored only 19 runs off 21 balls as Lucknow Super Giants could manage only 164/8 in their 20 overs against Gujarat Titans at the Ekana Stadium.
Nicholas Pooran is being criticized after another flop show of Lucknow Super Giants.
Later GT achieved the target within 19 overs. So far in the season, Pooran has scored only 41 runs in four matches as he has struggled badly in his new middle-order role in the LSG team. There were a lot of expectations after the big retention, but the West Indies batsman’s performance has raised big questions about his place in the team.
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After the match in Lucknow, former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin openly questioned Pooran’s influence in the team. He pointed out that he was not showing enough intent, energy or consistency expected from a senior player in such a big role.
Please give leave to Nicholas Pooran: Ravichandran Ashwin to LSG
Ashwin also pointed out that LSG has invested Rs 21 crore in Puran, so the returns should be commensurate with that trust. The commentator has also suggested that Lucknow Super Giants should give Pooran a break and consider other batting options to make a stronger comeback.
Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel: “Nicholas Pooran is a big cause for concern, a big cause for concern. The way he is standing in the field, I don’t know. What hasn’t been given to him? LSG have retained him as the first player; that has to pay dividends.
You have to get Josh Inglis into this team somehow; Even Matthew Bretzke will. Please give leave to Nicholas Pooran.”
Ashwin asks Rishabh Pant to open for LSG amid IPL 2026 clash
He also pointed out that LSG’s top-order changes have pushed Pooran into the middle order, which has affected his natural game. Nevertheless, Ashwin feels that the LSG team needs better utilization of powerplay overs and better batting roles to improve the overall scoring in the ongoing IPL 2026.
Ashwin further said, “People were asking me why I was advocating Rishabh Pant to open the innings. Rishabh Pant no longer hits sixes in T20 cricket. Before the match against GT this season, he had not hit a single six. I had said that Pant should open because he will be able to take advantage of the limitations of the fielding. If he plays the first six overs and scores 35-40 runs, there will be momentum.”
Gujarat Titans get a big boost in IPL 2026 as Jos Buttler is back in form
Talking about Gujarat Titans, Ashwin said that it is great news for the franchise that Jos Buttler has now found his rhythm again after his brilliant inning of 60 off 37 balls against LSG. Earlier, Butler had also scored a half-century against Delhi Capitals.
He also said that earlier, there were concerns about Buttler’s form during the T20 World Cup 2026 as he was not performing at his best. But now, he believes Buttler is back in form, and that could make GT an even stronger side in the tournament.
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