Ahead of their crucial clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach Ricky Ponting has heaped praise on young wicketkeeper-batsman Abhishek Porel. Ponting believes Porel is a “special talent” who has shown “extreme growth” throughout the IPL season.
Porel’s Rise to Prominence
The upcoming match against RCB holds high stakes for both teams as they vie for a coveted playoff spot. While DC currently sits at fifth place with 12 points, RCB trails close behind in seventh with 10 points. Porel’s recent performances have been a bright spot for DC, particularly considering the team’s initial struggles to find a suitable replacement for injured captain Rishabh Pant.
“Looking back to the start of last season, with Rishabh’s accident, we needed to bring in some wicketkeepers,” Ponting explained. “We tried a lot of senior guys, but the moment I laid eyes on Porel, I knew he was a very special talent.”
Impressive Stats and Adaptability
Porel’s talent has translated into impressive statistics. In just 12 games, he has amassed 267 runs at an average of 33.37 and a strike rate of 157.98, including a crucial half-century. He’s also the joint-highest hitter of fours for DC this season, alongside Pant, with 31 to his name. This is a significant improvement from his debut season, where he managed only 33 runs in four games.
Porel’s adaptability is another aspect that has impressed Ponting. “He has had a couple of different roles,” Ponting said. “In the first game, he came in as a number batsman, the Impact Player, and made a quickfire 31 off 10 balls. Now we see him opening the batting, and he has gotten better and better with every game.”
A Bright Future Awaits
Ponting has high hopes for Porel’s future. “I have got huge raps on him,” he declared. “He’s a very, very good young player, and with Rishabh out, you’ll probably see him don the keeping gloves tomorrow. We’ll finalize the team and batting order, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he remains at the top. He has played exceptionally well, and I believe he has a very bright future.”
With Pant’s absence and the pressure of a playoff race, the spotlight will be on Porel. However, judging by Ponting’s praise and Porel’s recent form, the young talent seems well-equipped to handle the challenge and potentially play a pivotal role in DC’s quest for IPL glory.
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