We always love stories about mental fortitude, resilience, and determination. They say comebacks are always greater than setbacks. We all know the epic comeback tale of Rishabh Pant after his life-threatening injury in December 2022. Pant's return to top-flight cricket is certainly a fairy tale one. However, there is another cricketer who has made a stunning statement of sorts after a freak car accident and has gone on to become one of the fiercest strikers of the cricket ball. Nicholas Pooran can tear any bowling attack to pieces with his current form.
In just two Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 games, the Caribbean basher has struck 75 & 70 runs against DC and SRH, respectively, at a mind-boggling strike rate of over 250. However, very few people know the backstory of Pooran. The Southpaw could never have played cricket after a dangerous car accident nine years back that injured his left leg. Pooran was returning from training in Trinidad and was shocked for life.
“I was coming back home from training, driving,” Pooran had told ESPNcricinfo website.
“I was close to home, and a car was overtaking another car, so I pulled away. I hit a sand heap, and then I came back onto the road and another vehicle hit me. I was knocked out and then I couldn’t remember what happened. I just woke up at the accident and I was like, ‘How did this happen?’ I was shocked. I couldn’t believe that this happened. I was taken in an ambulance, couldn’t move my legs,” said Pooran.
Nicholas Pooran on his comeback from a freak accident
Such was the effect of the horrific accident that Pooran's left patellar tendon was ruptured, and his right ankle was damaged to such an extent that he could not even straighten his leg. The southpaw underwent two surgeries, one less than 24 hours after his accident. Pooran's physical therapy took more than 18 months, but due to sheer resilience, he managed to find his way back into cricket. Pooran also revealed that he was in constant touch with Rishabh Pant during the toughest phase of his career.
“It’s very challenging. It’s one where no one understands. Sometimes, I can remember… I have been chatting with Rishabh obviously. Both of us have a really good relationship.
“But there are times when you go into a place where you’re very depressed, and frustrated because you want the healing process to happen so fast. But it’s difficult,” Pooran had said.
Pooran the biggest six-hitter in T20s
After the accident, Nicholas Pooran has gone from being an aggressive batter to the biggest six-hitter in T20s. Currently, in just two IPL games this season, the southpaw has smashed 13 sixes. Also, the Caribbean basher surpassed Gayle to become the first man ever to hit 150 sixes in a calendar year. Pooran struck 150 sixes in just the 63rd T20 match in 2024 during last year's CPL to etch his name in history books. Not only in IPL and CPL, but Pooran also has immaculate records in the MLC, ILT20, and BPL leagues.
Last year in IPL, the southpaw scored 499 runs at a strike rate of 178.21. He was brought by LSG that year for 16 crore. However, within one year, the franchise increased his price to 21 crore in IPL 2025 and made him their first retention ahead of the mega auction. No ground is small when Nicky P. is in the mood. With a terrific start to IPL 2025, Pooran is ready to take IPL by storm with his six-hitting dose.
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