After leading the Trinbago Knight Riders to a thrilling CPL 2025 winner finish, the buzz around Nicholas Pooran as LSG captain has grown louder. With LSG struggling under Rishabh Pant’s leadership in IPL 2025, Pooran’s recent success has fans and pundits wondering: is it time for a new face at the helm? Could Nicholas Pooran as LSG captain be the bold move the franchise needs heading into 2026?
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Trinbago’s Fifth Crown：A Final to Remember
In a gripping final that had twists at every turn, the CPL 2025 winner, Trinbago Knight Riders, edged out Guyana Amazon Warriors by three wickets. Guyana posted a modest 130 for 8, with Iftikhar Ahmed top-scoring with 30. Akeal Hosein and Saurabh Netravalkar shone with the ball, collecting crucial wickets and restricting the Warriors’ momentum.
Polly is applying the finishing touches to this chase! 🔥#CPL25 #CricketPlayedLouder #BiggestPartyInSport #GAWvTKR #CPLFinal25 pic.twitter.com/srFpvGRPnV
— CPL T20 (@CPL) September 22, 2025
TKR’s chase was anything but straightforward. Alex Hales and Colin Munro gave a scratchy start, and Nicholas Pooran himself struggled, managing just 1 off 8 balls. At 116 for 7, things looked bleak, but Hosein played a heroic cameo, 16 not out off 7 balls, including a six and a four in consecutive deliveries to clinch the victory and secure TKR’s fifth CPL title.
5️⃣ star performance! ✨
For the fifth time in their history, the Trinbago Knight Riders are CPL Champions! #CPL25 #CricketPlayedLouder #BiggestPartyInSport #GAWvTKR #CPLFinal25 pic.twitter.com/p8JFcVT9ke
— CPL T20 (@CPL) September 22, 2025
It was a true team effort, but Hosein’s all-round performance, combined with veteran presence from Pollard and Russell, underlined the strength and resilience of this experienced TKR squad, now immortalised as the CPL 2025 winner.
The Ultimate Champions! 🏆🇹🇹
TKR are on top once again! 🙌#CPL25 #CricketPlayedLouder #BiggestPartyInSport #GAWvTKR #CPLFinal25 pic.twitter.com/WuoJAvunPA
— CPL T20 (@CPL) September 22, 2025
Pooran’s Post-Match Reflections：Heart Over Tactics
Pooran didn’t hold back on emotions in his post-match interview. After waiting over a decade for a CPL title, he finally got his hands on the silverware.
“Nah, (not tactics). It’s just belief. Team belief,” Pooran said. “I’ve waited 15 years for this moment. This feeling, there’s no words to describe it… But before we talk about anything else, I just want to say thank you to all my guys here, every single person in the TKR team, all the squad members, every single one of our fans. Thank you for the love and support.”
Pooran also spoke about the deeper meaning behind this win:
“We weren’t only doing it for ourselves, but we were doing it for the people of Trinidad & Tobago… I hope (the minister) is going to reward us as well, right?” he joked.
This wasn’t just a trophy for Pooran; it was a statement. After years of setbacks, criticism over his captaincy, and questions about leadership potential, this win placed him back in the spotlight, and it’s now forcing some serious questions about Nicholas Pooran as LSG captain.
Pant’s Woes Open the Door for a Leadership Change
Let’s talk numbers. Rishabh Pant’s 2025 IPL campaign left much to be desired: 269 runs in 14 innings at an average of 24.25. Under his leadership, LSG won just 6 out of 14 matches, ending the season with a dismal 42.85% win rate. For a team with big ambitions, that’s a hard pill to swallow.
Related Article：Rishabh Pant’s Performance in IPL 2025：Where’s the Value？
Now, the whispers are growing into open conversations about whether it’s time to change course. LSG captain in IPL 2026 might not be Pant after all—and Pooran, fresh off a CPL 2025 winner campaign, is at the front of the line. What makes Nicholas Pooran as LSG captain a compelling option? Let’s look at the pros:
Form and Firepower: Pooran was the second-highest run-scorer in CPL 2025—426 runs in 13 innings, strike rate of 133.12, and an average of 42.60. In IPL 2025, he scored 524 runs at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 196. LSG retained him for ₹21 crore, proof of his growing value.
Franchise Leadership Experience: Under Pooran, TKR won 9 of their 13 matches en route to their title. He’s also led MI New York to an MLC championship. The man knows how to marshal his troops.
Calm Under Pressure: Despite his duck in the CPL final, he kept his team grounded and let others shine. That’s leadership.
The Flip Side：Is Pooran the Right Fit for the IPL Hot Seat?
Of course, there are caveats. Pooran’s record as West Indies captain was less than stellar: just 8 wins in 23 matches. That 35% win rate still raises questions about his ability to lead at the highest level. More crucially, he’s captained LSG only once. IPL captaincy comes with unique challenges: media scrutiny, team management, commercial obligations, and fan expectations in one of the most pressure-packed leagues in the world. Can he handle all that while keeping his explosive batting intact?
There’s also the Indian factor. In a league like the IPL, having an Indian captain simplifies team combinations. Choosing an overseas LSG captain in IPL 2026 would limit LSG’s flexibility in other overseas slots.
What’s Next for LSG?
It’s a classic franchise dilemma: go with the popular Indian face, or take a bold, performance-first call? Rishabh Pant brings charisma and commercial value, but Nicholas Pooran as LSG captain offers something different, form, fire, and fresh perspective. With the team looking for redemption in IPL 2026, appointing Pooran as the LSG captain in IPL 2026 could be the shake-up they need.
Sailed wid riddim, rode with fire 🔥
Nicholas Pooran | #WeAreTKR | #TrinbagoKnightRiders pic.twitter.com/FEtKl6chcP
— Trinbago Knight Riders (@TKRiders) September 22, 2025
Ultimately, it’s down to what LSG values more: proven brand power or rising leadership credibility. Either way, the discussion is no longer hypothetical. After lifting the trophy as the CPL 2025 winner, Nicholas Pooran has made a case that’s impossible to ignore. From CPL glory to IPL leadership debates, Pooran’s cricketing journey has taken a fascinating turn. Whether LSG is ready to hand over the reins remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the man is ready if the call comes.
