Veteran West Indies wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran said on Sunday, August 6, that he is looking at the game “differently” and he is also trying to entertain and play for the team since quitting the captaincy after the T20 World Cup last year. However, he put up a Player of the Match performance against India in Guyana. While chasing 153, he came to bat when Hardik Pandya had reduced the hosts to 2/2. He took his time initially before taking on Pandya, rotated the strike well in the middle overs, and then smashed 67 (40).
“[I am] satisfied with my performance with the bat, it’s something that I’ve been working for last couple of years. The beauty of the game is it’s not over till it’s over. I am trying to be consistent, especially when I’m batting well,” Nicholas Pooran said in the post-match ceremony.”I wouldn’t say it’s a purple patch, working for past two years, but we have been losing. I’ve learnt and am peaking at the right time. Now I look at the game differently and want to put the team first and continue to entertain,” he further added.
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However, Nicholas Pooran had scored a crucial 41 (34) in the first T20I as well, which West Indies won by four runs. He’s now the top run-getter in the five-match series, where, after the two-wicket win here, the hosts now lead 2-0 as well. Talking about his knock, Pooran said that he didn’t think much about what score West Indies needed and instead focussed on taking on the bowlers as well.
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“The score didn’t matter to me as long as I was batting. I just believe in skills vs skills, tried to execute and enjoy the game. Felt like a decent wicket to be honest, all about being positive and if you let bowlers dictate, they’ll get on top of you,” Nicholas Pooran concluded.
The third T20I will take place at the same ground on August 8.
