Hayden hails Pooran as ‘cleanest hitter in the world’

Chennai, Apr 24: Former Australia cricketer Matthew Hayden hailed Nicholas Pooran as “cleanest hitter in the world” after the Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) wicketkeeper-batter’s cameo in a stunning chase of 211 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as the hosts pulled off the highest run chase at Chepauk.

As Marcus Stoinis smashed a sensational maiden century with his unbeaten 124 of 63, Pooran supported him from the other end with his cameo of 15-ball 34 to execute a record run chase against the defending champions in their home. Deepak Hooda, too, played his part in the record win with a quickfire 17 off six.

Reflecting on Lucknow’s batting performance against Chennai, Hayden praised Pooran and said the 28-year-old have got great options of shots to play against both pace and spin.

“I can say that about Nicholas Pooran as well. The 19 balls that Padikkal took up before his dismissal, that was putting Marcus Stoinis under enormous pressure. When he was bowled this evening, that was probably the best outcome for LSG because it brought in the accelerator to LSG. Nicholas Pooran is the cleanest hitter in the world, I think, in this IPL. Such a talented free hitter of the ball. Got great options against both pace and spin,” said Hyaden on Star Sports Cricket Live.

“At that stage, when you’ve got a Ruturaj Gaikwad-like innings forming, as Marcus Stoinis was creating, they were actually going neck to neck as well. It was almost like a competition within the competition as to the stabilisers of the innings and then the finishers, Shivam Dube and Nicholas Pooran, that were just blasting away. And some great re-guard action from Deepak Hooda as well.”

Hayden further discussed how LSG can utilise Pooran and suggested that the left-hander can come up the order with the Stoinis and bat longer, similar to his role for the West Indies in international cricket.