NEW DELHI: Delhi Capitals (DC) may have concluded their 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season with a win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), but their journey to the playoffs remains uncertain, relying on the outcomes of other fixtures.
Despite the potential playoff miss, DC can take pride in the emergence of young talent in their squad this year.
The standout among them is Rishabh Pant, who made a remarkable comeback after a life-threatening car accident in December 2022. Pant's explosive batting and sharp wicketkeeping have impressed everyone, showcasing resilience and skill.
Australian sensation Jake Fraser-McGurk has also made waves with his baseball-like bat swing and powerful sixes, while middle-order batter Tristan Stubbs has proven his worth with impactful performances in the death overs.
However, one player who hasn't received as much attention is the young Bengal wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel. Despite a challenging 2023 season, Porel has shown significant improvement this year. His hard-hitting knocks, especially as an opener, have been instrumental for DC.
Porel's innings against Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Rajasthan Royals demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure and take on international talent with confidence. He also showcased his versatility by donning the wicketkeeping gloves in Pant's absence against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
With impressive statistics of 327 runs in 12 innings at an average of 32.70 and a strike rate of 159.51, including two half-centuries, Porel has established himself as a key player for DC.
Alongside Fraser-McGurk, Stubbs, Pant, and Axar Patel, Porel could form the core of Delhi Capitals' lineup in the future, representing the next phase of the team's evolution.
(With ANI inputs)
