New Delhi: Batter Nicholas PuranAfter Lucknow Supergiants’ defeat by Kolkata Knight Riders, the focus is on the Super Over struggle. IPL 2026. Pooran’s record in tiebreakers makes for grim reading: 0 (5), 0 (1), 0 (1), 1 (2), 0 (1), just one run from 10 balls with three outs, questioning LSG’s decision to send him in at a high-pressure moment.In Lucknow, where LSG, chasing 156, were pushed into the super over after Mohammad Shami’s last-ball six.
Opting to bat first, LSG sent Puran along with Aidan Markram, but the move backfired immediately. Sunil Narine dismissed Pooran on the first ball and removed Markram soon after, restricting LSG to just one run. KKR chased down the target by two in a single delivery, with Rinku Singh sealing the victory.Despite Pooran’s numbers, captain Rishabh Pant defended the call, emphasizing the team’s support over individual form.“We talked as a group, we had a discussion, and the name that came up was Nicholas Pooran. He may not have been in the best form of his life, but at the same time, you trust your player in a tough situation like this,” Pant said.Pant also demanded collective responsibility after the defeat.“I think we definitely need a break. I think we’re going to be fresh. There’s always pressure, and it’s always going to be a pressure game, but at the same time, we’ve got to find answers from within, not outside. And just keep it simple. We’ve got to be accountable — every guy. Like, it can’t be about one or two guys. It’s definitely going to be for the people, and it’s definitely going to be the accountability for all the guys,” said.With LSG now at the bottom of the table, the decision to back Puran, despite his record, is likely to be talked about.
