Give Abhishek Porel a go at No. 3: Robin Uthappa sends a message to Delhi Capitals

Former India batter Robin Uthappa was full of praise for Abishek Porel for his explosive batting in Delhi Capitals’ IPL 2024 opener against Punjab Kings on March 23 in Mohali.

Uthappa said Delhi should consider moving Porel up the order and give him a shot at number 3 after his heroics with the bat after coming in as an Impact Substitute on Saturday. The 21-year-old scored an emphatic 32 off 10 balls, an innings that proved pivotal for his side after their top-order collapse.

Robin Uthappa was not entirely happy with the Delhi Capitals management, urging them to give local players more opportunities.

“Just by looking at his technique, he is going to be super impressive at the top of the order. Give this kid a go at number 3 or 4 and see what he delivers. He can probably do a great job over there, and you will never know if you don’t try it….That’s my thing with DC, they never try the Indian lads out,” Uthappa said.

Ishan Poren walked in at No. 9 as an impact substitute to Ricky Bhui, who failed to make use of his IPL debut after getting dismissed on 3 off 7 balls by Punjab’s Harpreet Brar. After a positive start from DC openers David Warner and Mitchell Marsh, their dismissals were followed by a collapse of their top-order.

Delhi Capitals were reeling at 147 for 8 when Ishan Porel walked into bat as the Impact Substitute. Walking into bat in the 18th over, Porel started timing them well and added late impetus to the total. It was only due to Porel’s innings Delhi Capitals got to a decent total of 174.

The man from West Bengal smashed 25 runs in the final over as he hit 2 sixes and 3 boundaries against Harshal Patel.

Making a comeback to cricketing action after 14 months, Rishabh Pant could only make a brief impact on the game after getting dismissed on 18 off 13 balls.