31 Jul, 2023

“This is the best T20 innings I have ever played”: Nicholas Pooran

By MI New York Media
News Banner

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. 

LATEST

News Thumbnail
15 Jul, 2025

“It’s a celebration of passion, belief and teamwork”: Mrs. Nita M. Ambani

The Mumbai Indians Family has added yet another glittering jewel to their crown, with MI New York winning the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) title, their second championship in just three seasons. This triumph marks Mumbai Indians’ 13th major title globally — and their third trophy in 2025 alone, following MI Cape Town’s SA20 win and the Mumbai Indians Women’s triumph in the WPL earlier this year.MI New York delivered a commanding campaign, capped by a powerful performance in the final, reaffirming their dominance in Major League Cricket and further elevating Mumbai Indians’ stature as the most successful global T20 franchise group.In a remarkable show of consistency and depth, MI teams competed across five leagues on three continents, reaching the playoffs in all five, and emerging as champions in three, across both men's and women’s competitions.Mrs. Nita M. Ambani said, “What a truly special moment for the Mumbai Indians family! MI New York lifting their second MLC trophy in three years is not just a win on the field — it is a celebration of passion, belief, and teamwork. From the Women’s Premier League in India to championship victories in South Africa and now the USA, MI’s incredible journey across continents this year is a powerful reminder of how sport can build bridges and spread joy around the world. We are deeply grateful to all our fans — the MI Paltan — who have always stood by us and remain at the heart of our journey. My congratulations to every player, coach, supporter, and every member of our global MI family!”Mr. Akash M. Ambani said, “This is a humbling and proud moment for all of us at Mumbai Indians. MI New York lifting their second MLC title — as part of a title hat-trick this year across India, South Africa, and the USA — is deeply fulfilling. Yes, it’s about winning trophies, but equally, it’s about building a global cricketing platform that gives talent the opportunity to shine and fans a reason to dream. This success reflects years of belief, culture, and commitment across our teams. Congratulations to every team member at MI New York who made this moment possible.”With a total of 13 championship titles, Mumbai Indians are the most successful franchise in global T20 leagues — including 5 IPL titles, 2 Women’s Premier League titles, 2 Major League Cricket titles, 2 Champions League T20 titles, and one each in the ILT20 (MI Emirates, 2024) and SA20 (MI Cape Town, 2025).With five teams across three continents and four countries, the Mumbai Indians continue to dominate the global T20 landscape, driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a deep, enduring bond with fans around the world.
News Thumbnail
15 Jul, 2025

MI Fam, MI Champion team, MI New York

It's a day to rejoice. We know you've been watching that last over on loop, you've smashed the replay button on Polly's acrobatic catch, just as we know you've been standing by us like a rock when the going got tough. ‘Peaking at the right time’, ‘It’s never about how you start but always about where you finish', ‘MI Spirit time', you've probably been hearing a lot of all this over the last few weeks. The tournament graph indeed was one of redemption, of rising from rock bottom. One more loss and we would've been out. But this where the peak MI character, ingrained in every player who dons the Blue and Gold around the world in all its different teams, rises. A character where we refuse to give up. A character where we always believe the trophy is ours. “Everyone stood together through highs and lows. Losing games is tough,” said Nicholas Pooran after the Final. "Every single person put their hands up…everyone had that belief and that is what I felt took us through. We believed there was a chance. That was the conversation, to just believe, stay together."After the action moved to Florida, the two back to back wins over LA Knight Riders injected some momentum into our campaign, helping us sneak into the playoffs. And Beast Mode arrived. “When you look at it, everyone that beat us twice in the tournament, when it mattered the most in the playoffs, we knocked them out. Sport is a wonderful thing. This moment may not come back again and we will never forget in our life. We are going to cherish it, embrace it,” he said. This is MI team. This is MI Fam. We are MI New York. 
News Thumbnail
15 Jul, 2025

MI #OneFamily in 2025: Five playoffs, THREE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES across three continents

2025 has been special. Five teams. Five playoffs. A champion in all three continents – Asia, Africa, America. Winning in the Mumbai Indians #OneFamily. We have added another star to our crest. Our Blue has some more Gold. It’s another epic day in our history with MI New York scripting history in the USA and winning their second MLC title. It’s a day to celebrate. In fact, it’s been a year on the whole to celebrate. MI Emirates were the first to make it to the playoffs. MI Cape Town went a step further in what was an absolutely dominant SA20 campaign to bag their first title. The Mumbai Indians Women then took the baton and marched towards their second championship win in the WPL. The men then fought a stellar campaign, coming back after losing four of their first five matches in the IPL to go on a seven-match winning run and break open the playoffs door. Although it ended in the second Qualifier, it was a campaign for us to be proud of. And finally, the boys in America have capped off the year on a high. They went a step further, peaking at just the right time, having won just one out of the first seven league games, to go on an unstoppable roll, bringing home our 13th piece of silverware in our rich history. 5 – IPL (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020) | Mumbai Indians2 – CLT20 (2011, 2013) | Mumbai Indians2 – WPL (2023, 2025) | Mumbai Indians2 – MLC (2023, 2025) | MI New York1 – ILT20 (2024) | MI Emirates1 – SA20 (2025) | MI Cape Town Fam, let’s pop the champagne! 

Partners


Principal Partner

Sponsors Logo

Official Partners

Sponsors Logo
Sponsors Logo