Nicholas Pooran's explosive performance in the 2025 IPL season positions him as a leading T20 player

In a stunning display of power hitting, West Indies' Nicholas Pooran has firmly established himself as the standout player in the T20 format, according to former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh.

The 29-year-old has been pivotal in turning the tide for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). His recent heroics include a blistering 70 off just 26 balls, leading LSG to a remarkable 5-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) during a challenging 191-run chase.

Harbhajan, clearly impressed by Pooran's consistent and explosive performances in this season's IPL, expressed his admiration on the social platform X, declaring, "Currently Nicholas Pooran is the best player of T20 format. Period!"

Pooran's campaign started with an electrifying 75 from 30 balls against Delhi Capitals, a performance that nearly secured a win for his team.

Unfortunately, despite his valiant efforts, LSG fell short as Delhi clinched a narrow one-wicket victory in Vizag.

These performances have catapulted Pooran to the top of the Orange Cap standings in this 18th edition of the tournament. With 145 runs across two matches, he boasts a staggering average of 72.50 and an astonishing strike rate of 258.92.

Pooran has also become a significant figure in LSG's history books, crossing the 1000-run milestone for the franchise. He achieved this in just 31 matches, maintaining an impressive average of 45.54 with a strike rate of 184.53. Only KL Rahul has amassed more runs for the franchise, with 1410 runs in 38 matches.

Renowned for his effortless power-hitting, Pooran has crossed the fifty-run mark in fewer than 20 deliveries on four occasions, the most by any player in the IPL.

Australian power hitters Travis Head and Jake Fraser-McGurk have managed this feat three times each. Pooran’s impressive 18-ball fifty is the second-fastest for LSG, following his own 15-ball spectacle against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2023.

Pooran’s remarkable performances are not only etching his name into the records of the IPL but are also redefining the standards for T20 cricket globally.