Coming on as an Impact Sub in the 18th over of Delhi Capitals‘ innings, left-handed youngster Abishek Porel made a huge impact on DC’s eventual total in their opening game of IPL 2024 against Punjab Kings.
PBKS and DC met on Saturday afternoon at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh.
After being asked to bat first, Delhi Capitals were, near the end of their innings, looking as if they will finish with a total of around 155-160 when they were 147/8 in 18.3 overs.
However, Abishek Porel, only 21 years of age, absolutely monstered himself over Harshal Patel, the senior IPL bowler who once won the Purple Cap for his exceptional death-bowling skills, in the 20th over of DC’s innings. Porel’s blast of 25 runs in the last over of the innings propelled Delhi’s total to 174, which can be considered par for what is looking a good pitch, but is Delhi would take it with both hands after being 147/8 in the 19th over.
Abishek Porel had played four matches last season in which he managed 33 runs. The Delhi management, though, kept faith in his talent and retained him. Impressed by his hitting in the nets, DC earmarked him for the finishing role. But he didn’t start the game, and instead came on in the 18th over as an Impact Sub. This was a huge call considering Porel has very little IPL experience and that this would mean they cannot pick a bowler as an Impact Sub in Punjab’s innings.
But Abishek Porel repaid the faith handsomely by hitting three fours and two sixes to Harshal in the last over. Check out the video here and the reactions of fans to Porel’s innings.
Watch: Abishek Porel smashed 25 runs to Harshal Patel; fans lavish praise on the youngster
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 👊
Abhishek Porel delivered and provided the late flourish for @DelhiCapitals 👏 👏
Watch the match LIVE on @JioCinema and @StarSportsIndia 💻📱#TATAIPL | #PBKSvDC pic.twitter.com/8awvqO712N
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 23, 2024
Teams:
Delhi Capitals (Playing XI): David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Shai Hope, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Ricky Bhui, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Sumit Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Ishant Sharma
Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Shikhar Dhawan(c), Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Shashank Singh
Also Read: Twitterati Left Mesmerized By Preity Zinta’s Beauty As She Attended PBKS Vs DC Match In Chandigarh
