Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has opined that Nicholas Pooran’s form is one of the issues for Lucknow Super Giants ahead of their Wednesday clash against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Pooran could only manage 19 runs off 21 balls against GT in the last game and thus failed to get going.
The left-hander has managed only 41 runs in four matches of IPL 2026 at an average of 10.25 and a strike rate of 85.41 and thus he hasn’t been able to deliver the goods for the franchise.
“Your batting was ending at No. 7, so you played George Linde. If you have played George Linde, considering Abdul Samad’s form, send him above Abdul Samad. Try to involve him early in the game because Nicholas Pooran’s form is also not good. Nicholas Pooran either stays at No. 5, or you can move him up the order,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“There is a philosophy to send people up the order to allow them to find form, but after the seventh match of the last tournament and until now, neither has he scored runs nor is his strike rate good. So if someone does not have form at all, you feel how you can send him early,” he added.
The renowned commentator reckons Pooran’s retirement from International cricket has hurt his game.
“So you try to send him in a position where he just has to go and hit, and it’s outstanding if he connects. I think time is running out a little for Nicholas Pooran. Since he has retired, he is looking half the player. He can turn it around, he is a quality player, but the side effects of leaving international cricket are being seen on Trent Boult and him,” he observed.
The former Delhi cricketer reckons Mayank Yadav should be included in the team’s playing XI if he is fit.
“Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan are both fit. Mayank had given a Player of the Match performance at this ground once. If he is fit, you can think about playing him. Mohsin Khan, extra bounce, you can think about playing him as well,” he said.
The former KKR batter reckons Prince Yadav and Avesh Khan might have to make way for Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan.
“However, who will you make sit out? Then you will have to leave out Prince and Avesh. You can take that call. It won’t really make that much of a difference, although Prince has bowled well. He hasn’t done anything wrong. However, if you want to change something, these are the changes you can do,” Chopra observed.
LSG will take on RCB on Wednesday.
