West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in the annals of T20 cricket history by becoming the first batsman ever to hammer more than 150 sixes in a single calendar year. This spectacular feat comes as Pooran has already smashed 151 sixes in just 63 innings so far this year. With the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) still in full swing, the left-handed dynamo is poised to extend his record even further.
Representing the Trinbago Knight Riders in the ongoing CPL, Pooran achieved this historic benchmark during a dazzling unbeaten 93-run innings off 43 balls in a match against the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, marking the 25th game of the season. Impressively, he dispatched seven sixes in that match-winning performance to cement his place in the record books.
Earlier in the season, Pooran had dethroned the illustrious Chris Gayle to become the player with the most sixes in a calendar year. Gayle, who previously set the record with 135 sixes, remains the only cricketer to have hit 100 or more sixes in a calendar year an astonishing six times.
The achievement of Pooran is no small feat, as it places him in a league of his own when it comes to power hitting. This accomplishment highlights not only his incredible consistency throughout the year but also his ability to adapt and excel in different formats of the game, making him one of the most formidable batsmen in modern cricket.
For context, the magnitude of Pooran’s milestone can be measured by looking at the previous record-holders and their performances. Chris Gayle’s record of 135 sixes was set in a time when he was at the peak of his powers, dominating T20 leagues around the world. For Pooran to surpass this mark, particularly in an era where bowlers have become more specialized and strategic in T20 cricket, underscores his exceptional talent and importance to his team.
Moreover, during his stupendous 93-run knock, Pooran also reached another significant landmark in his career by completing 2000 T20 runs this year. This makes him only the second player in history to cross the 2000-run threshold in a single calendar year, joining Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan, who achieved the milestone in 2021. Rizwan had notched up 2036 runs in just 45 innings at a remarkable average of 56.
.55, including a century and 18 fifties.
Pooran’s run tally for this year reflects his all-around prowess and consistency, maintaining a high strike rate while churning out significant scores across various matches. His current form in the CPL promises more fireworks, with the Trinbago Knight Riders lined up to play against the St Lucia Kings in the 26th match of the CPL 2024. Given his scintillating form, Pooran is well-positioned to break more records by the end of the year.
In the ongoing edition of the CPL, the southpaw has already amassed 275 runs in just seven matches, boasting a remarkable strike rate of 176.28. Such statistics not only make him one of the most feared batsmen in the league but also a vital asset for any team he represents, be it in the CPL or other global T20 leagues.
Pooran’s exploits have certainly set a new benchmark in the world of T20 cricket. His capability to hit sixes with such regularity is a testament to his batting technique, power, and mental fortitude. Young cricketers and aspiring batsmen around the world might look up to Pooran’s journey as a source of inspiration, understanding that such records are built upon hard work, dedication, and a continuous drive to excel.
As the CPL and other T20 tournaments proceed, all eyes will be on Pooran to see how much further he can extend his incredible six-hitting tally. The current season may very well end with Nicholas Pooran not just rewriting the record books, but also setting a new benchmark that may take years for future cricketers to challenge and surpass.
In summary, Nicholas Pooran’s unprecedented milestone of hitting over 150 sixes in a calendar year is a phenomenal achievement that has firmly established him as one of T20 cricket’s most explosive and consistent performers. With the year still not over, the cricketing world eagerly anticipates what further heights this prolific West Indian batsman will reach.
