So, you think you know Abishek Porel? The Bengal lad who quietly slid into the Delhi Capitals squad and made everyone sit up and take notice? Think again. There’s a lot more to this young cricketer than just neat wicketkeeping and crisp cover drives. Whether you’ve followed him since his U-19 days or you only spotted him when he subbed in for Pant, this article’s going to give you ten solid, maybe even surprising, facts about Abishek Porel.
Let’s get into it—but casually, like friends chatting cricket over chai and Instagram memes.
1. Abishek Porel’s Full Name, Age & Hometown
Let’s start with the basics—what’s on his Aadhaar card, if you will.
Full Name: Abishek Porel
Born: October 17, 2002
Age: 22 (as of IPL 2025)
Hometown: Chandannagar, West Bengal
And yes, Chandannagar isn’t just known for its riverside beauty and colonial charm—it’s also home to some seriously gritty cricketers. Porel’s story isn’t one of flashy academies or viral clips. It’s more earthy—nurtured in Bengal’s cricketing nurseries, molded in sweat and red-ball cricket.
Trivia time: Ever wondered what “Porel” means? While it doesn’t have a widely recognized meaning in Bengali, it’s a surname typically linked to certain communities in Eastern India—often associated with craft and discipline. Makes sense, right?
2. How He Got Into Cricket: A Bengal Prodigy
This one’s got that old-school cricket nostalgia. Porel’s journey started in those sleepy morning net sessions in Chandannagar. His uncle, Snehasish Porel, also a cricketer, spotted his spark early and pushed him towards professional training.
He didn’t just “get into” cricket—he lived it. You’ll find echoes of this in how grounded he is, despite the growing stardom. His early days at Cricket Association of Bengal’s (CAB) Academy shaped his discipline, and the legacy of Bengal cricket—think Wriddhiman Saha, Sourav Ganguly—loomed large over his formative years.
Let me explain: This wasn’t some rags-to-riches tale filled with dramatic twists. It was more like a slow-burn series—progressive, consistent, quietly brilliant.
3. Domestic Debut & Rise Through the Ranks
Abishek made his first-class debut in 2022 for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, and that season? He wasn’t just decent—he was dependable.
- Scored 700+ runs in the season
- Averaged over 45
- Claimed clutch catches behind the stumps
His ability to stay composed under pressure (think fourth-innings chases, crumbling middle orders) is what made selectors take notice. Not flashy. Not viral. Just effective.
You know what? It’s kind of poetic—while social media was losing it over power-hitters, Bengal was quietly breeding a complete cricketer.
4. IPL Journey with Delhi Capitals
Let’s rewind to IPL 2023. Rishabh Pant was injured, and Delhi needed a wicketkeeper who could bat. Enter: Abishek Porel.
He didn’t exactly start like a firecracker. His debut was—let’s be honest—tentative. But give the boy some time, and suddenly:
- His strike rate improved
- His glove work got sharper
- His intent looked clearer
By 2025, he wasn’t just a fill-in—he was a pillar in DC’s middle order. And when Pant returned, DC had a new headache: “How do we fit both?”
5. Stats that Matter: Porel’s Batting & Keeping Numbers
Alright, let’s get technical. As of mid-IPL 2025, here’s a snapshot of Abishek Porel’s performance:
IPL Stats:
- Matches: 26
- Runs: 589
- Average: 29.4
- Strike Rate: 132.6
- Catches/Stumpings: 24/6
First-Class:
- Matches: 22
- Runs: 1,345
- Average: 43.3
- Hundreds: 3
List A:
- Matches: 18
- Runs: 712
- Average: 39.5
Those aren’t just rookie numbers. They’re solid indicators of a cricketer with both temperament and technique. And considering he’s only 22? Scary potential.
6. Why Experts Call Him “The Future Dhoni”
Look, let’s not throw this phrase around loosely—“The Future Dhoni” is a loaded tag. But there’s a reason why ex-players like Dinesh Karthik and Simon Doull have nodded at this comparison.
- Calm under pressure? Check.
- Tactical mind behind the stumps? Check.
- Street-smart batting? Also check.
He doesn’t have Dhoni’s helicopter shot (yet), but his ability to read the game, his cheeky stumpings, and his low-profile humility? It’s all there. Plus, there’s something in the way he smiles after a tight DRS call—it’s almost vintage Dhoni.
7. Porel’s Favorite Shots & Signature Moves
You won’t see him slog-sweeping like Rinku Singh or switch-hitting like Suryakumar Yadav. Porel’s got a more classical vibe:
- The Cover Drive – smooth as Rabindra Sangeet on a Sunday morning
- Late Cut – especially against pacers, uses the pace perfectly
- Flick off the pads – so clean, it could be a textbook diagram
And then there’s his behind-the-wicket finesse—quick leg-side stumpings and those low one-hand catches that make you go, “Did he just pull that off?”
8. Abishek Porel’s Role Models & Cricketing Heroes
Ask him who he idolized growing up and the names come fast:
- MS Dhoni – for the calm
- Kumar Sangakkara – for the elegance
- Wriddhiman Saha – for the glove work
And there’s something beautiful about that mix. You’ve got Dhoni’s aura, Sanga’s class, and Saha’s silent brilliance—all blending into Porel’s style. He’s not trying to be them. He’s borrowing bits, remixing it, and making it his own.
9. Fanbase Explosion After 2025 IPL
This one’s wild. After his back-to-back fifties in IPL 2025 (one of them against Mumbai Indians), his Instagram followers shot up by over 300k in two days.
You’ll find memes of him as:
- “The Calm Keeper”
- “DC’s Wall 2.0”
- “Baby Mahi” (okay, that one’s a bit much, but it’s out there)
Fan pages popped up overnight. His Bengali interviews started trending nationwide. And just like that—he wasn’t just a player anymore; he was a persona.
10. What’s Next for Abishek Porel in 2025-2026?
Here’s the big one. Is he in the mix for Team India?
The short answer? Yes.
The long answer? He’s already on the shortlist for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
With KL Rahul focusing more on ODIs, Pant coming off injury, and the selectors leaning towards younger talent—Porel’s knocking on the door hard. Really hard.
And let’s not forget India’s recent trend: rewarding consistency over hype. Porel fits that bill like a glove. Literally.
Final Thoughts: The Quiet Revolution of Abishek Porel
You know, not every cricketing star explodes onto the scene with fireworks and press conferences. Some sneak in, earn respect, and change the game from the shadows. That’s Porel.
He’s not flashy. Not loud. But he’s present—in the crucial moments, the pressure chases, the final overs.
And honestly? That’s what makes him so fun to watch.