"Respect the game": Fans troll Nicholas Pooran after poor form continues in IPL 2026
Published - 12 Apr 2026, 05:01 PM | Updated - 12 Apr 2026, 05:20 PM
Table of Contents
West Indian batter Nicholas Pooran's flow shop continues in the ongoing IPL 2026 season, the batter, who took retirement from international cricket to pay more focus on the franchise leagues, was dismissed cheaply again vs the Gujarat Titans at the Ekana Cricket Stadium B Ground in Ardonamau.
With less than a 100 strike rate, the middle-order batter of the Lucknow Super Giants is gone for 19 facing 21 balls. In his brief knock, he smashed a couple of 6s only. While trying to get another big one, Nicholas Pooran lost his scalp against Gujarat Titans pacer Prasidh Krishna.
Cricket fans take a dig at Nicholas Pooran for choosing franchise cricket over international cricket
Captain Shubman Gill took a simple catch at mid-off. Cricket fans on social media platforms are furious to see such lackluster batting by the Caribbean cricketer.
"This version of Nicholas Pooran looks like he left his batting form in another IPL season and forgot the password to get it back," one of the cricket fans on 'X' wrote. "pooran retired from west indies team just to play T10 nd T20 leagues. Money over country players struggling really Struggling, yesterday Henrich Klassen today Nicholas Pooran," another post reads about the recent form of the batsman.
From the beginning of the IPL 2026, Pooran has been struggling to find his form. So far, after playing 4 matches in his season, the 30-year-old has scored 41 runs for an average of 10.25, with an average strike rate of well under a hundred, 85.41. Today's 19-run knock is the highest for him in this ongoing campaign.
Nicholas Pooran struggled in SA20 as well
Ahead of the IPL 2026, he batted poorly with the MI Captain Town too in the SA20 2025-26 season, scoring 152 runs in 9 innings, averaging 16.88.
The former West Indies international batter retired from international cricket at the age of 29 only citing the desire to move to the next stage of his career after playing extensive international cricket. Pooran finished with 167 appearances, 1,983 ODI runs, and 2,275 T20I runs.
He served the West Indies National Cricket Team as captain as well
Pooran served as the white-ball captain and was renowned as one of the best T20 batters of his time. He led the Windies to a 4–1 T20I series win over Australia in 2021.
"After much thought and reflection, I've decided to announce my retirement from international cricket. This game we love has given and will continue to give so much - joy, purpose, unforgettable memories, and a chance to represent the people of the West Indies," Pooran said in his retirement speech.
"Wearing that maroon, standing for the anthem, and giving everything I had each time I stepped on the field... It's hard to put into words what that truly means to me. To have led the team as captain is a privilege I will always hold close to my heart," he added.
Nicholas Pooran scored 19 runs off 21 balls, what a player 👏👏👏
— ಕನ್ನಡ್ವಿರಾಟ (@kohlificationn) April 12, 2026
Money Greedy Pooran retired from the West Indies team just to play T10 nd T20 leagues.
Money over country players are struggling really struggling, yesterday Henrich Klassen today Nicholas Pooran.
Nicholas Pooran left international cricket to focus on the IPL, and now he’s struggling in the league he prioritized over his country.
— 𝚅𝚊𝚛𝚞𝚗¹⁸ (@varunx18) April 12, 2026
Perfect example of respect the game, or the game will find its own way to humble you. pic.twitter.com/XOTAyL7vFp
This version of Nicholas Pooran looks like he left his batting form in another IPL season and forgot the password to get it back. 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/dNCvBU7gkN
— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) April 12, 2026
Nicholas Pooran announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.
— Harshit (@I_am_Harshit_17) April 12, 2026
Josh Inglis will replace him in the next game. Nicholas Pooran will serve as batting coach in Lucknow Super Giants Nowonwards pic.twitter.com/vuLn3fm1A2
" Nicholas Pooran struggling in IPL 2026 — is international retirement the real culprit? 😤
— 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 (@CricketCarnivel) April 12, 2026
Retired from WI duty in June 2025 at just 29 to chase franchise cash... but since then, the fire looks gone.
NEVER DISRESPECT INTERNATIONAL CRICKET 🙏 #LSGvsGT #TATAIPL2026 pic.twitter.com/ejKFvuyZXT
We have seen a different Nicholas Pooran since the start of the ILT20.
— Jeet Vachharajani (@Jeetv27) April 12, 2026
Out of a total of 22 times he has batted, his strike rate has been 100 or less in 11 of them.
This is difficult to comprehend!
Nicholas Pooran at the end of this IPL. pic.twitter.com/BuCPEoB3YL
— Crickadda24 (@crickadda24) April 12, 2026
Read More: Rajasthan Royals in trouble! BCCI confirms punishment after anti-corruption breach
About the Author
