With IPL 2026 approaching, former Punjab Kings captain Ravichandran Ashwin has shared concerns about the recent form of Nicholas Pooran. Ashwin believes the West Indies batter may be struggling because of a packed schedule across multiple T20 leagues.
According to him, Pooran’s performance dipped after a strong start in recent tournaments, and fatigue could be one of the main reasons.
Ashwin Talks About Pooran’s Drop in Form
Ashwin discussed Pooran’s recent performances on his YouTube channel. He explained that the left-handed batter started strongly in the IPL but struggled later in the season.
Ashwin believes Pooran’s form declined because he has been playing in too many leagues around the world as a freelance T20 player.
He also pointed out that Pooran is no longer regularly playing international cricket for the West Indies, which means he spends most of the year moving between different franchise tournaments.
Ashwin said that playing continuously in different leagues can affect a player’s energy and concentration.
Signs of Fatigue in Recent Competitions
Ashwin mentioned that he noticed Pooran looking physically and mentally tired during a recent T20 league in South Africa.
According to him, the constant travel and back-to-back tournaments could be affecting Pooran’s performance.
Recent performance snapshot
| Competition | Runs | Innings |
|---|---|---|
| SA20 | 152 | 9 |
Ashwin believes this dip in performance could be linked to exhaustion from playing too many matches across various leagues.
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Ashwin Suggests Limit on Number of Leagues
Ashwin also raised a larger issue about modern franchise cricket. He suggested that the International Cricket Council or another governing body should limit the number of leagues a player can participate in during a year.
His suggestion is that players who choose to freelance should play only two or three leagues annually.
Possible benefits of limiting leagues
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Better player fitness | Players avoid burnout |
| Improved performance | More time to prepare and recover |
| Opportunities for others | More players get chances in leagues |
Ashwin believes such limits could help players stay fresh and maintain consistent performance levels.
Suggested Batting Role for Pooran
Ashwin also spoke about how Nicholas Pooran could be used in the Lucknow Super Giants batting order.
He suggested that Pooran may be more effective if he bats slightly lower in the order instead of coming in earlier.
According to Ashwin, young batter Abdul Samad could take on a finishing role, while Pooran could support him in the lower middle order.
Possible LSG middle-order combination
| Batting Position | Player |
|---|---|
| No. 5 | Ayush Badoni |
| No. 6 | Nicholas Pooran |
| No. 7 | Abdul Samad |
Ashwin believes this combination could provide balance, with Pooran’s experience helping guide younger players during pressure situations.
LSG’s Opening Match in IPL 2026
Lucknow Super Giants will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Delhi Capitals.
The match will take place at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on April 1. The team will be hoping to start the season strongly under their leadership group.
Opening match details
| Match | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|
| LSG vs DC | Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow | April 1, 2026 |
Nicholas Pooran remains one of the most explosive batters in T20 cricket, but expectations will be high as IPL 2026 begins.
If he can regain his form and energy, he could play a crucial role in Lucknow’s batting lineup.
For now, Ashwin’s comments have sparked debate about workload management and how modern cricketers balance multiple franchise leagues around the world.
