Abhishek Porel emerges as contender for DC opening role, smashes 170 vs Delhi in Vijay Hazare Trophy

When DC retained southpaw wicket-keeper batter Abhishek Porel, not many resonated with the choice. After all, the 22-year-old had hardly achieved anything extraordinary in the IPL 2024. In 14 matches, he scored 360 runs at an average of 25, and at a strike-rate of 152. Even in the SMAT, he had three fifties.

But then, Abhishek Porel announced his arrival on the big stage with a fiery 170 from 130 deliveries in the 1st round match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Saturday, against Delhi. Chasing a target of 273 that had bowlers like Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini, Porel looked in full flow and smashed 7 sixes and 18 fours in his innings, to take Bengal to an six-wicket win in only 41.3 overs.

Meanwhile, this was his first List A ton, and before this had hit only two fifties in the 50-over format. What this innings means is, he will be a must-have in DC XI for IPL 2025, and could open the innings as well. With Rishabh Pant gone from the team, he could be one player entrusted with the responsibility of finishing the matches for the team, and even keeping wickets.

On the other hand, while a few decent performances with the bat came from Delhi as well — Anuj Rawat smashed 79 from 66 and Himmat Singh scored 60, but that was never going to be enough, on a good wicket to bat on, in Hyderabad. Now, the second round matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy will be played on December 23 at various locations.