Abu Dhabi T10 League: Pooran hoping “to ride wave” in red-hot T10 form

Former West Indies Captain Nicholas Pooran is dominating the Abu Dhabi T10 League, the left-handed pocket rocket having slammed two player-of-the-match efforts in scoring a blistering 77 and an impressive 80 in the first two matches.
Pooran, captain of the Deccan Gladiators, has said he is enjoying his cricket, and is grateful for the wins. The ‘fearless man from Trinidad’ is leading the likes of England’s Jason Roy and West Indies’ Andre Russell and Odean Smith, and Tabriz Shamsi and David Wiese in the Gladiators team.
“I am just thankful. Here I am in this T10 (tournament) trying to enjoy myself and (trying) to win games for my team. Luckily, I was able to perform in the first two games. I am grateful that we won the game. Today was my day, and I am trying to ride the wave as (much as is) possible. As long as we are winning, I am happy,” Pooran said after his innings of 80.
Pooran stepped down from being captain of the West Indies white-ball team earlier in the week. He had taken over the full-time captaincy from Kieron Pollard in May of this year, but the West Indies have since won just four out of 15 ODIs and four out of 15 T20Is.

In the T20 World Cup, West Indies had come into the tournament as two-time champions, but were stunned by Scotland in the opener, and then went on to lose against Ireland. They finished the tournament with just one win – against Zimbabwe – before crashing out in the first round.
Pooran’s own form has been a concern in recent times. He had scored just 94 runs in his last 10 innings in T20Is. He finished the T20 World Cup with scores of 5, 7 and 13. However, in the recent Regional Super50 tournament, he scored 342 runs at an average of 114. He has taken that form into the Abu Dhabi T10 League, and is relishing every moment of play.
Pooran, who was released by SRH, will be aiming to bag a large sum at the December 23 Indian Premier League auction. (Brandon Corlette)