“Baffling Decision” – Former World Cup Winner Calls Out LSG For Sending Nicholas Pooran to Face Sunil Narine in Super Over

Nicholas Pooran has struggled significantly in Super Overs, managing to score only a single run across his last five opportunities in T20 tie-breakers.

“Baffling Decision” – Former World Cup Winner Calls Out LSG For Sending Nicholas Pooran to Face Sunil Narine in Super Over

Carlos Brathwaite questioned LSG's decision to let Nicholas Pooran face Super Over against KKR. (Image via News 18)

In Short
  • Carlos Brathwaite criticized LSG's decision to send Nicholas Pooran to bat in the Super Over, labeling it "baffling."
  • Pooran, struggling with form, was bowled out for a golden duck, contributing to LSG's defeat in the Super Over against KKR.
  • LSG's poor performance has left them at the bottom of the IPL 2026 standings, raising questions about Pooran's place in the team.

Former West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite was surprised at the Lucknow Super Giants’ decision to send the struggling Nicholas Pooran out to bat in the Super Over of their IPL 2026 clash on Sunday against Kolkata Knight Riders. Brathwaite bluntly called out the management’s blunder.

The low-scoring thriller at the Ekana Stadium saw LSG and KKR battle it out, with the match ending in a tie. KKR, batting first, could only post 155/7, with Mohsin Khan ripping through the Knights’ top-order with his fiery spell of 5/23.

It was only a later surge from Rinku Singh (83* off 51), that took them past the 150-run mark. In response, LSG managed to scrape their way to 155/8, forcing a Super Over thanks to a miraculous last-ball six from Mohammed Shami.

It was only after that, the home side made a blunder, sending the out-of-form Pooran, who had only scored 9 off 12 during the chase, to partner Aiden Markram in the Super Over. Disaster struck off the very first ball, with KKR’s Sunil Narine bowling him out for a golden duck. Following a single from Rishabh Pant, Markram was also caught out, leaving LSG with only one run on the board. Rinku Singh sealed the victory for KKR with a four.

What has now become the point of discussion is Lucknow’s decision to send Pooran out to bat, which has left experts scratching their heads. A former T20 WC winner, Carlos Brathwaite called it baffling, while suggesting that Pant and Co. had expected Pooran to return to form with a ‘fairytale’ Super Over knock. He noted that the decision backfired, with ‘common sense’ prevailing in the end. 

Baffling decision. Someone said if Nicholas Pooran comes out [to bat] it could be a maiden. Like many years ago… He is really struggling. When he is on form, you want him against anyone but he is not.

Carlos Braithwaite said on ESPNCricinfo

Brathwaite added that LSG picked ‘profile’ over his ‘performance’, and that they did not reflect upon the current reality that Pooran is out of touch. The former West Indies skipper also reminisced about a similar 2014 incident, where Sunil Narine had bowled a maiden Super Over during a CPL game, interestingly to Pooran.

LSG head coach Justin Langer, however, defended the call by suggesting that the team only backed its ‘best’ players. 

Maybe there was a fairytale feeling and a bit of fantasy there that this could potentially get him [Nicholas Pooran] out of the rut. But ultimately common sense prevailed and the bad form continued.

Moreover, the Super Over debacle has now pushed LSG further down the 2026 IPL table. The Rishabh Pant-led team now stands at the bottom of the standings with two wins and six defeats from the eight matches that they have played so far.

The Nicholas Pooran question: Who could replace him in LSG’s playing XI?

Lucknow Super Giants have now been drawn into a selection conundrum, with the team close to elimination from IPL 2026. A point of contention has been Nicholas Pooran’s selection in the playing XI, despite no returns from the 30-year-old. 

Nicholas Pooran replacement LSG
Josh Inglis or Matthew Bretzkee might replace Nicholas Pooran in LSG’s playing XI. (via NDTV Sports)

Pooran has been ridiculously out of form, having scored 82 runs in eight matches this season, at a mere average of 10.25 and a strike-rate of 81.19. It is in stark contrast to his 2025 IPL campaign, where he amassed 524 runs in 14 matches at an average of 43.67 and a strike-rate of 196.25. Given his recent constant failures, it is more or less certain that Pooran might not be picked anymore. 

Should they decide to bench him, Lucknow has two overseas options to fill in. Australian Josh Inglis will be the most logical choice, given his abilities as an explosive top-order hitter. He is, however, yet to join the squad despite being signed for INR 8.6 crores, due to his wedding. He scored 278 runs in 11 matches for PBKS last season, at an average of 30.89 and a strike-rate of 162.57. 

Reports suggest that Inglis is expected to join the LSG camp ahead of the team’s May 4 clash against MI. Another player who could replace Pooran is South African batter Matthew Breetzke, whose ability to anchor an innings has earned acclaim.

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