Abishek Porel may not be setting the IPL 2025 alight with jaw-dropping innings, but he’s quietly becoming a vital cog in Delhi Capitals’ (DC) top order. With 225 runs in eight innings, he’s the team’s second-highest run-scorer behind KL Rahul. His success isn’t built on explosive knocks but on steady, meaningful contributions—and that’s by design.
“I know my game, and the support staff knows my game,” Porel said after DC’s win over Lucknow Super Giants. “The team knows what to expect from me, and I know what I can deliver.”
Porel’s season began on a rough note with a two-ball duck. As one of just four players retained by DC after IPL 2024 (alongside Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Tristan Stubbs), the early pressure weighed on him. But with support from coach Hemang Badani, mentor Kevin Pietersen, captain Axar, and others, he regrouped.
“I’m really enjoying my cricket right now,” he said. “Every innings is a chance to improve. I talk a lot with Hemang sir and KP in the nets—about what I can work on and how to bring that into the matches.”
Despite variable pitch conditions, Porel has managed to adapt. “The staff always tell me to bat with freedom, to trust myself. After a few poor starts, including that duck, they all had my back. KP, Hemang sir, the captain, KL bhai—everyone kept encouraging me. KL bhai reminded me of how well I played against LSG last year, and that really lifted me.”
Even teammates like Kuldeep Yadav have played a role. “Kuldeep bhai keeps telling me I have great timing and that I’m a good batsman. That kind of support is crucial—especially when you’re not feeling confident yourself.”
So far this season, Porel has had just one notable failure aside from the opener—a run-a-ball 7 against RCB. Otherwise, he’s delivered key knocks: 34* (18) vs SRH, 33 (20) vs CSK, 33 (25) vs MI, 49 (37) vs RR, 18 (9) vs GT, and a match-setting 51 (36) against LSG. With Faf du Plessis injured and Jake Fraser-McGurk struggling, Porel has stepped up as an opener alongside Karun Nair.
His strike rate this season stands at 146.10—down from 159.51 last year when he scored 327 runs in 14 matches—but he’s giving DC exactly what they need at the top.
And while a call-up to the national team might still be on the horizon, Porel has his eyes firmly set on the present. “Of course, I dream of playing for India and representing the national team for many years. But right now, my biggest goal is to help DC win the IPL trophy. That’s what matters the most to me at this moment.”
