"He's the definition of batting in T20 cricket" - Nicholas Pooran opens up on Chris Gayle's influence after surpassing him in T20I sixes

West Indian batter Nicholas Pooran hailed Chris Gayle as the one who defined T20 batting after surpassing his T20I sixes tally during his breathtaking knock in the 2024 T20 World Cup clash against Afghanistan in St.Lucia on June 17. Pooran scored 98 off 53 deliveries, including eight maximums to take his T20I sixes tally to 128, leapfrogging Gayle's 124 to become the all-time leader for a West Indian batter.

The 28-year-old is also the leading run-scorer for the West Indies in T20Is and took his tally past 2,000 runs during the knock against Afghanistan. Pooran's scintillating performance propelled West Indies to a massive 218/5 in 20 overs, their highest-ever score in T20 World Cups.

It led to a comfortable 104-run victory for the Caribbean side and Pooran credited Gayle for setting the benchmark for those to follow in the post-match press conference.

"I'm just really happy that I can continue what he left. He obviously set the platform for us. He's the definition of batting in T20 cricket. And I'm just really happy that I can continue to entertain people and take over where he has left," said Pooran.

Gayle scored 1,899 runs in his illustrious T20I career at an average of 27.92 and a strike rate of 137.50 with two centuries and 14 half-centuries.

The now-retired batter remains the all-time leading run-scorer in overall T20s with an incredible 14,562 runs in 463 games.

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"I've sacrificed a lot, so I want to be the best version of myself" - Nicholas Pooran

Nicholas Pooran credited his hard work and sacrifices as the primary reasons behind his success in the shortest format.

The southpaw has amassed 2,012 runs at an average of 26.47 and a strike rate of 135.85 in 92 T20I outings.

"It's a proud feeling. I've worked hard throughout my career. I've sacrificed a lot, so I want to be the best version of myself. What has happened now is only because of my hard work and belief in myself. I've worked extremely hard on my craft, batting in different positions, and at the end of the day, I'm a complete team guy. Whatever they require from me, I want to do it," said Pooran.

Pooran remains a key to West Indies' chances of winning a third T20 World Cup title. The side won all four group stage games to finish atop Group C and qualify for the Super Eights.

West Indies will take on defending champions England in the first of three Super Eight encounters in St.Lucia on June 19.