After a disappointing 2021 IPL and T20 World Cup, Nicholas Pooran found a second wind in international series against England and India this year. Ahead of the 2022 IPL, Pooran was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 10.75 crore (approx. US$1.43 million) at the auction. In this interview he speaks about his prep leading into the tournament with a new franchise, his time as stand-in captain for West Indies, and looking ahead to the T20 World Cup in Australia later in the year.
You were the most expensive West Indian player at this year's IPL auction. Does that sort of money bring added pressure?
As a professional player, sometimes I guess it does, especially when you're not doing well, the media targets you, a lot of fans criticise you, so it [the fee] definitely does play a part. But as a professional it's your job to put that noise behind you and just try to perform for the team
You had a disappointing season by your own standards last year, averaging 7.75 with the bat for Punjab Kings. Do you feel like you need to prove yourself this year?
It doesn't feel like that. Just because I had one bad season, it's not going to change the player I am. I am doing pretty well in international cricket and everyone sees that. For me it's about giving back to my team - the Sunrisers have invested a lot in me and so I just want to give my all for them - to me it's about being the best version of myself.
Looking back at that last season, what do you think were the reasons for your lack of form?
Things like this happen; everyone goes through patches in their career. First game last year, I got a first-ball duck, then next game, I got a second-ball duck. Eventually I went out to bat and didn't even face a ball, got run out (laughs). I'm not dwelling on it too much, I believe I am a much better player now, and I learnt a lot from that IPL season.
Have you been working on anything technically?
Every player has technical flaws, but to me it's more mental, having that clarity in my game. Once I can get into that clear space, I think I'll be all right. As you can see in my last few T20 games, the last three international series, I've started to get into that mindset, knowing exactly what I want to do. So hopefully it continues and people can stop saying I need to keep proving myself.
You featured at three, four and five for Punjab Kings, but for Guyana Amazon Warriors in the CPL, you mainly bat lower down the order. What is your preferred batting position in the format?
I've just started to bat at No. 3 [for West Indies] and I'm having some success there. I'm enjoying it at the moment, but for me it's about doing exactly what the team wants. If I'm picked for a situation, a sitting role, I'll give my 100%. So for me, I don't have a favourite number, I know I can bat anywhere and contribute to the team.
What are the differences between batting at three compared to four or five?
Massive difference. At three sometimes, if you come in in the powerplay, the ball is swinging, it's then just a matter of facing a couple balls and you basically have the freedom to execute your skills to maximise only two fielders being outside the circle. Batting later and coming in the tenth or 15th over, it's about having that clarity in your execution, the skill and ability to perform in those different roles. If you look around at international cricket, not many openers can finish an innings, so to me it's about being versatile and working on your skills to adapt. But it's definitely easier batting at the top of the innings than in the back end.
Sunrisers Hyderabad also signed your West Indies team-mate Romario Shepherd. What qualities does he bring to the format?
He's very hard-working; he's someone I've seen over the last couple of years work hard at his craft. I believe he's a really smart cricketer, he's someone who will fight to the end and has that never-give-up attitude. We saw it against England, where he almost pulled that victory off for us. I believe in the near future he will be one of the best allrounders in T20 cricket, because he has that ability - he can bowl quick, bowl at the death, and also smash it very far.
You will also be working with fellow Trinidadian Brian Lara, who is the batting coach at the franchise.
Yeah, we have had a couple of conversations in the recent past. He's simply superb, amazing when it comes to batting and how he views the game. So yeah, looking forward to that opportunity to work with him.
KL Rahul was the wicketkeeper when you were at Punjab Kings. This season there's an opportunity to be first-choice keeper at SRH. Are you looking forward to wearing the gloves?
To me it doesn't really matter. I enjoy wicketkeeping, and I do enjoy fielding as well. As a wicketkeeper, I'm more involved on the field, in terms of team spirit, trying to make that magic happen when things are not going our way. So, yes, I'm looking forward to the opportunity, whether I'm wicketkeeping or not.
As a player who is Indo-Caribbean, do you feel a special connection when in India? Yeah, I feel a connection. I actually kind of feel like it's home, I really feel like that. The locals are very friendly, you just have to go there to feel that vibe. I try to learn Hindi and eat as much Indian food when I'm there as well. So to me, I definitely feel that connection.
You've recently stood in for Kieron Pollard as West Indies captain, and you seem very confident around the players. Is leadership something that comes naturally to you?
It's come naturally, but I've learnt a lot from Pollard, since the Barbados Tridents days [CPL 2017] - I saw how he went about things and developed from there. As a leader you have to talk the talk and walk the walk. You have added responsibility and want the best for your team. At the end of the day it's about winning the game of cricket, and if I'm in that leadership position, I have to do that extra work. The added responsibility has worked out so far for me.
We've seen some local media backlash in the Caribbean against Pollard and head coach Phil Simmons in recent months. Does the team take notice of it?
To be honest, everyone has social media, we know what is happening. I can remember in the England series there were a lot of things going around, and that just made us better as a team. I think we came out and played proper cricket and were successful. That motivated us.
Everybody just looks at the outcome, but there's a lot of work to be done with the West Indies cricket team. I think we are developing, developing a bit slow, but we are seeing progress. Coach Simmons and Pollard are doing an excellent job at the moment, it's definitely tough being a West Indian and also a West Indies fan. At the end of the day, yes, we want results, but how do we get results? We just can't turn up and say we are going to be successful. It's going to take a while for us to cross that bridge, but I am seeing improvements, especially with the batting and bowling. We may not be as consistent as we would like, but that's the game of cricket; it takes time.
After last year's T20 World Cup we saw Dwayne Bravo retire from international cricket, and Chris Gayle is stepping away as well. How big has their contribution been to West Indian cricket?
Their records speak for themselves. Chris Gayle has the runs record in the format, two T20 World Cups, DJ Bravo also has two World Cups and the wickets he's taken in international cricket. And it's not just their records either; their leadership, they've been around for a long, long time. For me, if you're involved with West Indies cricket for over 15 years, that means something special. Those two were my childhood heroes. I was fortunate to play with them and learn from them. A lot of younger players would have got the opportunity to experience just how it feels to be in the dressing room with those two guys.
I also believe they are two of the happiest men alive, on and off the cricket field, and that is one of the most important things in life, to do everything with a smile.
You played in the Big Bash League for Melbourne Stars in 2020. Now with the 2022 T20 World Cup looming, would you say conditions suit you more in Australia than they did in the UAE?
I believe the wickets in Australia are very good to bat on. I certainly enjoyed my time at the Big Bash in 2020, so I'm looking forward to that opportunity to play in Australia again. Not only me, I know a lot of our players would like the conditions there as well. It's going to still be a challenge - we have qualifiers first - but we are ready for it.
After returning from the limited-overs series in India, you took some time to play local T10 Cricket in Trinidad. How did you enjoy that?
I really enjoyed it. It's been two years without local cricket in Trinidad, it's good to be back with the guys [Sunil Narine, Evin Lewis, Kieron Pollard all took part]. Trinidad has a lot of good cricketers, but it's also about giving back as well. When I was younger I would have wanted international players to come back to share some knowledge and learn from them. So hopefully a youngster can learn something from me.
Do you see T10 Cricket as being distinct from T20?
Definitely different from T20 cricket. I see T10 cricket as being all about freedom. Doesn't matter as much about the game situation, with the first ball, if you feel like hitting a six, go for it, nobody is going to be angry with you. But it's also helping the game and helping players expand their game, that fearlessness encouraged in the format brings out more in every player.
You spoke with Sir Desmond Haynes, who is the new West Indies selector, about playing red-ball cricket…
We had a small conversation. It went well actually, so let's see what happens in the future. Going forward, it's a conversation I need to have with the selectors and coach. It's difficult, we don't really get much time off for ourselves. I believe there should be a compromise, but everyone sees it differently.
After the IPL finishes in May, West Indies have a few white-ball series, so I don't know when there's actually time for me to play first-class cricket or what the way forward is. It's a challenge. Playing Test cricket is still in my plans, but as I say, everything happens at the right time. When it's my time to play Test cricket, I'm sure I will.
Outside of Trinidad and Tobago, which is your favourite ground to play in?
Dubai International Cricket Stadium. I feel like I have a special connection with that ground, I scored a century there in the 2014 Under-19 World Cup, which means something to me. That was my most memorable moment so far in terms of my cricket career. It will always have a special place in my heart.