“This is the best T20 innings I have ever played”: Nicholas Pooran
By MI New York Media
We aren’t done gushing over Nicholas Pooran’s Sunday night slam-bang yet. Here is he, attending the post-match press-conference and getting asked questions that ranged from his mastery, to his family, to his motivation, to USA cricket and the World Cup with the West Indies next year. Excerpts ..
On getting a lot of support for cricket in America
It’s wonderful. I believe I am an entertainer. Really happy to be here in America, performing like that. Really nice to hear that people have come to support not just me, but cricket in America. That’s the direction we want to head in. It’s a start, the Major League’s success is here.
On what was going through his head while batting
To be honest, I never really thought about it. I was sitting and I thought, ‘okay Nicky, you are no longer captain. You are going to bat as Nicky P’. I just went out there and I knew Imad was trying to get me out. I was also looking for something. It was a good batting wicket and I felt I could play through the line. And when I hit a couple, my body just took over and reacted. I was only looking to hold my shape. I just reacted and we had 75 in the powerplay. These are the innings I have worked hard for. I always want to be there at the end. I am still lost for words. This is probably my best T20 innings. Winning the game at the end, being there for my team is a special moment for me and my family. This is the first time my baby girl came to America. Happy that she could witness this moment and come back in 20 years and see that photo. Special feeling. We spoke about that first is always special, and to have MI New York here was wonderful. I know how badly Mumbai Indians wanted this. They are an amazing franchise, They love winning titles. Today is a moment for them in history.
On full houses for the games
At first I was surprised. But I knew that there were so many Indians in America. They love cricket more than anything. We knew they would come out and support. Really enjoyed this tournament. We didn’t come to relax. The guys played some really good cricket. Rsahid Khan bowled his four overs for nine runs. Klaasen smashing a hundred a couple of nights ago. Quinton tonight. Amazing to see guys putting their bodies on the line here.
What the MLC has done for USA cricket
There is a lot of talent. I believe this tournament will open the eyes for a lot of the players. Cricket is not just about batting and bowling, it is about the mind and mental toughness. Really nice to see these players rubbing shoulders with those who’ve played at the highest level. Nice for them to share their stories as well. They will continue to grow. Wonderful opportunity for the local players. In the coming years, USA cricket is going to be a force to reckon with.
On MI NY backing younger players
The MI franchise knows to deal with individuals. We knew we had to give opportunities to players, but we knew we were here to win. The players have to understand that. In life, sometimes all it takes is one opportunity. Robbie Peterson, Kieron, Malinga, Mahela, all these guys are really good people’s persons to have these conversations to tell people that we believe in them 100%. We have been really good in the last 4-5 games when our backs were against the wall. The younger guys, the local players have learnt a lot.
Lessons to take for the World Cup next year
A lesson is that it is really hot here (laughs). We know there is a World Cup coming up here next year. As cricketers, it is just about opportunities. We just need to be there and perform for the fans who come to see us. Really important to build ourselves and be ready. This tournament has shown that the level of professionalism cannot drop. Someone is always looking up to you. You need to be ready on and off the field.
On how he looks back at the 2015 period
In 2015 I got into an accident and almost lost my life. That changed everything for me. It is all about appreciating the moment. I knew when I got back and was fit again, I just wanted to be the best version of myself. My dream is to play national cricket. I need to put the hours in the nets, training, day in, day out. That is the hard work that people don’t see. I have struggled a lot on and off the field. A couple of years ago, I got four ducks in the IPL. But when you fail, you learn more. Everything has fallen in place nicely, I am just riding the wave, staying in the moment and not overthinking. As a youngster, you just want everything to get better for you. But I have learnt to enjoy the moment and relax and take it day by day, ball by ball.
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“The best in our batting is yet come to come”: Nicholas Pooran
Two wins in three games from the LA leg. On some tough batting wickets, MI New York showed a lot of fight and character. As we head back to Dallas for the last three league games with a mission to qualify for the playoffs, skipper, Nicholas Pooran believes the peak is still to come.“The next week is going to be really important, with the final three games in Dallas. This week was really important for us and we're leaving LA with two wins from three games. As a captain, we're really happy and we'll continue to build,” he said on the back of the loss to San Francisco Unicorns. “Our batting has been improving, we'll keep fighting, and I believe the best is yet to come.”One of the bright spots in the game was Tristan Luus, whose late contribution with the bat (12) and a 2/21 with the ball kept MINY in the hunt. At the post-match press conference, he spoke about bouncing back from such games. “I think there is a lot of teams that have bad games and bad days. It’s all about the bounce back. We have a good team and we are still in a good position in this tournament. We just need to regroup, have a good conversation about this game and then from there basically don’t try to think about this game.”There’s an instant redemption on offer as both these teams clash once again in Texas in two days. With just two points separating the top-ranked and the bottom-ranked team on the table, this sure is heating up! 07 Jul, 2026SFUvMINY report: Arghhh, not quite the perfect end to the LA leg :(
It wasn’t our day. On the wrong side of the toss and put in to bat when the pitch was sticky, the MI New York batters just couldn’t get going. Undone by some sharp bowling, it was a late effort from the tail that got us past 100, and then our seamers tried hard too, but with the ball skidding on under lights and the advantage of chasing a smallish target, it wasn’t to be. Pooran tries infusing momentum, but MINY wobbleEvery match, we’ve had someone step up, play the anchor, and bat through. It looked like Nicholas Pooran would be that guy tonight, looking good with four fours in his 19-ball 20, as the rest of the top-order fell around him. But he too fell in the seventh over. It wasn’t a day for Kieron Pollard’s heroics either as the team collapse to 65/7 in the 15th over. Bosch, Luus and a late-order resurgence Corbin Bosch: 22(21)Tristan Luus: 12(14)And thanks to this 30-run stand for the eighth wicket to get the team up to 104, MINY had something to play around with. A sliver of hope. What a debut, Faisal! Debuts just don’t get any sweeter. Opening the bowling, off the first legal ball of his career, he cleaned up the dangerous Lhuan-dre Pretorius. And then followed up next over with a sharp bouncer that got big on Finn Allen, who could only miscue it as far as mid-on. With Tristan Luus and Tajinder Dhillon chipping in, at 66/4, there was slight hope of a special Blue and Gold defence, but alas, Matthew Short and Sanjay Krishnamurthi kept going and saw the Unicorns home. Chip up Fam, we’ve played some special cricket over the last three games to sustain the kind of run we did. As we head back to Texas for our final league leg with the playoffs berth beckoning, this is the time to not lose steam. We have an instant opportunity with the reverse fixture coming up in the very next game to set things right.. 06 Jul, 2026LAKRvMINY report: 2014 to 2026 – Polly and Corey winning it for the Blue and Gold!
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