IPL 2022: Nicholas Pooran Opines Whether The Huge Price Tag Will Affect His Performance For Sunrisers Hyderabad

West Indies wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran opined whether the huge price tag will affect his performance in the upcoming 15^th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2022). Pooran was bought by the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2022 mega auction for INR 10.75 crores.

Pooran triggered a bidding war between the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Kolkata Knight Riders at the IPL 2022 auction. The Orange Army went all-in for the explosive batter after losing to acquire Ishan Kishan. This was despite Pooran having a so-so outing in the IPL 2021 edition for the Punjab Kings (PBKS).

Opining that the pressure hits more when the performances do not justify the price-tag, Pooran told ESPNCricinfo:

“As a professional player, sometimes I guess it does, especially when you’re not doing well, the media targets you, a lot of fans criticise you, so it [the fee] definitely does play a part. But as a professional it’s your job to put that noise behind you and just try to perform for the team.”

After a promising first campaign, he suffered a terrible spell in IPL 2021 and ultimately lost his place in the team. He scored 85 runs in 12 matches across both legs last year.

I Had One Bad Season Will Not Change The Player I Am: Nicholas Pooran

The Caribbean international was released by the Punjab Kings after the 2021 IPL. The franchise chose to retain Mayank Agarwal and Arshdeep Singh prior to the mega auction. The left-handed keeper-batter believes that one bad IPL season doesn’t make him a bad batter overall and the fact that he is doing well in international cricket is evidence of that.

He said: “It doesn’t feel like that. Just because I had one bad season, it’s not going to change the player I am. I am doing pretty well in international cricket and everyone sees that. For me it’s about giving back to my team – the Sunrisers have invested a lot in me and so I just want to give my all for them – to me it’s about being the best version of myself. “

Sunrisers Hyderabad will play Rajasthan Royals in their IPL 2022 tournament opener on March 29 in Pune.

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