Nicholas Pooran reveals the key behind his six-hitting exploits
The former West Indies white-ball captain discusses how he manages to hit so many sixes when playing around the world.
West Indies superstar Nicholas Pooran has revealed the key behind his six-hitting technique.
Pooran was the West Indies' leading run-scorer at last year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup with 228 runs and finished the tournament having hit more sixes (17) than any other player that featured at the event.
The 29-year-old showcased his batting exploits with another fine performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Lucknow Super Giants on Thursday as he smashed six maximums during a 26-ball 70 to help his side to an impressive five-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad.
It was the second consecutive occasion that Pooran has notched a half-century at this year's IPL and it helped the damaging left-hander collect the Purple Cap as the tournament's leading run-scorer.
He also has four more sixes than any other player at the IPL thus far and the former West Indies white-ball skipper believes keeping a clear mind at the crease is helping him maintain the status as one of the biggest hitters in world cricket.
"I don't plan to hit sixes," Pooran said.
"I just try my best to get in good positions and if it's there, just time the ball nicely.
"In the last nine years I have been working on my craft. Obviously, I have been getting the opportunity to bat higher up in the Powerplay as well.
"It is really important to cash in when the wicket is nice and obviously when the match-up is there you try your best to execute your skills."
Pooran's best effort at last year's T20 World Cup was an innings of 98 - from just 53 deliveries - against Afghanistan in St Lucia during the group stage of the event that helped the West Indies remain undefeated at the tournament and qualify for the Super Eights.
While the West Indies fell just short of qualifying for the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup, Pooran's efforts with the bat didn't go unnoticed as he won his way into the ICC Men's T20I Team of the Year for the second consecutive year.
It was just rewards for Pooran, who admitted he is lucky to have been born with such considerable talent.
"I've never worked on my bat speed, I'm just blessed with incredible talent," Pooran said.
"I am really happy that I have put in the work over the years and I am getting the reward on the cricket field and winning games for my team as well."
ICC
