Promising Bengal keeper-batsman Abishek Porel is all set to be Rishabh Pant’s replacement at Delhi Capitals for the upcoming IPL that begins on Friday.
The Capitals have been looking for a replacement for the India keeper-batter, who met with a car accident last December and has been out of competitive cricket since then.
Porel, who hit two fifties for Bengal in last season’s Ranji Trophy, had been a part of a few short camps that the Delhi franchise had conducted this year in the city, under the supervision of their director of cricket Sourav Ganguly. Although there’s no official confirmation yet from the franchise on Porel’s inclusion, a Capitals source said that it’s “as good as confirmed”.
However, the 20-year-old’s chances of winning a final XI berth isn’t confirmed as there’s a possibility that Sarfaraz Khan, Mumbai’s prolific run-scorer, could be picked for the keeper-batter’s slot in the first few games at least. They also have England’s Phil Salt for the keeping role, but picking him could affect their overseas players selection.
