Days before the start of the 16th season of the Indian T20 League Delhi is yet to announce their replacement for injured Rishabh Pant. The star wicketkeeper batter suffered a massive car accident in the early hours of December 30. He struck his car on the divider while driving to Roorkee from Delhi to celebrate the new year with his family.
The injury has forced Pant to miss some of the important series including the Indian T20 League and Border-Gavaskar trophy. Meanwhile, Delhi has reportedly found a potential replacement for Pant and it will be revealed soon. In a recent news report, it has been revealed that Sourav Ganguly the director of cricket for Delhi has scouted an explosive wicketkeeper-batter from West Bengal to replace the injured Pant.
According to a news report published by Press Trust of India (PTI), Ganguly has conducted a camp in Kolkata a month ago to identify a potential replacement for Rishabh Pant. Now it is finalized that young Bengal wicketkeeper-batter Abhishek Porel will replace Pant in the squad and will be groomed by the team.
Porel who had a great domestic season with West Bengal in recent times will make his debut in the Indian T20 League. The 20-year-old youngster made his debut for Bengal in Ranji Trophy in February 2022. He has been amazing with the bat as he makes some good hits in the game. In the last 10 first-class games Porel has hammered 336 runs including two fiery half-centuries at an average of 24. Notably, he is a great option behind the wicket as well. He has clinched 36 catches and four stumps in the last 10 games for Bengal.
David Warner set to lead Delhi
As Delhi is going to miss their biggest strength in the 16th edition of the Indian T20 League they were keen to find a replacement both as a leader and a player. Before zeroing in on Abhishek Porel Delhi has announced David Warner as their skipper for the upcoming season. Warner who has experience in leadership roles has led Hyderabad to glory in 2016.
The team will want Warner to replicate his leadership skills here as well and lead them to the maiden title this year. Notably, Delhi is set to face KL Rahul’s Lucknow in their first game of the tournament at the iconic Ekana stadium on April 1. Meanwhile, fans react to the potential replacement of Rishabh Pant. A Twitter user said, “Dada ke influence me hua hai.”
Here are some Tweets:
Like to Like replacement ngl
— H A L F – E N G I N E E R //Gulambi Stan// (@sparky_chora) March 29, 2023
'Dada ka wada' great choice well done ?@DelhiCapitals pic.twitter.com/jaG1mTcPYf
— RKD Fanclub (@RkdFanclub) March 29, 2023
Who is Abhishek Porel and why is he replacing someone like Rishabh who is legend in making ?
— ? (@SarcasticCowboy) March 29, 2023
Abhishek porel how can he be replacement of superstar pant ??
— cricket fan (@cricketfansena) March 29, 2023
Ganguly Masterclass
He's Really Talented Player , Has Great Potential!
— CV (@CVCricLover) March 29, 2023
Replace means next year will play same franchise (rishabh pan)
— Dhanapal KD (@kd_dhanapal) March 29, 2023
Will he play ?
— ?? (@cricloverPrayas) March 29, 2023
Great pick ???
— Nayak #45 (@jayasnayak) March 29, 2023
