'Nicholas Pooran is a quality player but overpriced'- Wasim Jaffer

Nicholas Pooran [Source: Twitter]

Punjab Kings batting coach Wasim Jaffer opened up on Lucknow Super Giants' most expensive purchase in the IPL mini-auction held in Kochi on Friday. 

The West Indies keeper-batter Nicholas Pooran was bought by LSG for INR 16 crores. He sparked a heavy bidding war between LSG and Delhi Capitals (DC). Rajasthan Royals also tried to get their hands on the hard-hitting batter but failed to secure his service. 

Jaffer feels that the former West Indies captain is a quality player but was overpriced in the auction. 

During an interaction with ESPNCricinfo, he also stated that Australian all-rounder Daniel Sams and West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd are yet to make an impact in the cash-rich league. 

Here's what Jaffer said

"I think they got good players. Daniel Sams and Romario Shepherd were good buys even though there is a question mark about their delivering in IPL. Nicholas Pooran also falls in that category, even though he is a quality player but I think he was a bit overpriced. They got what they wanted. So, they'll be a decent side."

Pooran was the fourth most expensive player at the IPL 2023 auction, next only to Sam Curran (Rs 18.5 crore to Punjab Kings), Cameron Green (Rs 17.5 crore to Mumbai Indians), and Ben Stokes (Rs 16.25 crore to Chennai Super Kings).

Talking about Pooran's numbers in the IPL, he has played 47 matches so far, accumulating 912 runs. He had a decent season with Sunrisers Hyderabad last year, where he amassed 306 runs in 13 innings at an average of 38.25 and a strike rate of 144.34.

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