Exclusive: Inspired by Easwaran's work ethic, a more mature Abishek Porel wants to score big hundreds for Bengal in Ranji Trophy 2024-25

Flamboynt. Fearless. Highly rated by none other than former India captain Sourav Ganguly. Someone who can surely go on to don that tri-colour from Bengal. These all are the terms used for Abishek Porel, a 21-year-old, confident wicket-keeper batter from Bengal, who will soon be playing his third Ranji Trophy season. But, this time, he will be coming with the experince of a full IPL season with Delhi Capitals and a debut Duleep Trophy for India C under Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Before he starts his third season for Bengal in the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2024-25, Sportz Point caught up with him to learn about his plans, Duleep and IPL experience, IPL retentions and many more.

"Duleep was a great experiecne"

After scoring his first first-class ton in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season and a decent run with Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2024, Abishek Porel was called up for his maiden Duleep Trophy tournament. In the Duleep Trophy 2024, Abishek while playing under Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 167 runs at an average of 41.75 in three matches.

"Overall, the experience was great. Most of the players there had represented India. Whether within your team or with the opponent team, there is always competition and the atmosphere was great. You feel happy when you perform in that competitive environment," Abishek answered when asked about his experience with the Duleep Trophy.

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On finding a place in team despite Ishan Kishan being there

Not only did he perform decently, but Abishek found a place in the playing eleven despite Ishan Kishan being in the team. Kishan, who was fighting to make a comeback in the white-ball format for India, played as a batter in the team so that the team management could play Abishek.

"It was a confidence booster for me. The team management had informed me that I would wicket-keep in that match. It gives me extra motivation to think that, I had my spot despite a cricketer like Ishan Kishan being in the team. It also reminds me of how far I have come and who my contemporaries and competitors are," young Abishek told Sportz Point.

"Need to score more hundreds. Big hundreds"

During the Duleep trophy, Abishek rubbed shoulders with many stars of Indian cricket who have played for the country and have achieved some incredible things as well. When asked about the learnings from the tournament, Abishek said, "Everyone is professional there. You must learn it yourself because you can lose your spot due to one little mistake."

"In the match where I scored 82, I should have scored a big hundred. If you cross 30-40, you need to get a hundred. There will be ups and downs in cricket and life but if I get a start now, I will have to ensure that I am getting that hundred. These are the learnings I got from the tournament," he added.

Abishek now has his eyes set on the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season where he wants to score more than 800-900 runs including 4-5 first-class tons and help the Bengal team win that elusive Ranji Trophy after nearly 35 years of wait. 

"I wish to score more than 800-900 runs including 4 tons for Bengal this season. Last year I only scored one. But, I feel the gap between the 50s and 100s is big. So, I need to close the gap down this season. After all, averages and runs matter. So, I need to take my game to the next level."

"The first class hundreds taste better. Even nowadays hundreds do not count. Look at Abhimanyu. He scored 190 (191), but people are discussing Sarfaraz Khan because he scored a double hundred. So, you need to score big whenever you have the opportunity."

Read Also | "Will rate this century as the highest point of my career," Abishek Porel after his maiden first-class ton vs Chhattisgarh in Ranji Trophy 2024

"Easwaran, Mukesh and Akash's work ethic inspire me a lot"

And, for motivation to score those big hundreds, Porel will not have to go further. He has teammates like Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has been scoring a heap of runs in domestic cricket and is looking to break the doors to the Indian team. Porel feels when you can see players like Easwaran, Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep day and day out, you do not need to look out for other players for motivation and work ethic.

"They (Easwarwan, Mukesh and Akash) are setting the right example for us. We now do not need to go far and look for a Virat Kohli. Because we are not so up close and personal with him. Rather if we take a look at the work ethic of Mukesh bhai or Abhimanyu, you will get a masterclass on how to become a top-level cricketer. They are humans like me. So, I feel, if they can do it, I can do it too," the wicket-keeper batter expressed.

On batting with the tail

But, from the first season in the Indian domestic circuit, Porel has been entrusted with batting in the lower order and with the tail-enders most of the time. This somehow has hindered him from going for the big runs. But, for Porel, getting out in those situations, just because you are batting with the tail, is unjustifiable.

"I feel, it is like giving an excuse (getting out while batting with tailenders). I feel you can stay not out. Stay unbeaten on 70-80 or 20-25. While batting with the number 10 or 11, you will have to go for the shots. But, you can not get out when you have at least 3 wickets in hand. And, in today's cricket, everyone can bat. So, there is no such thing as tailenders."

"Working hard to be more compact as a batter"

In the last two seasons, Porel had some difficult times facing quality spin bowling and at times used to get out early against the better bowlers. But, post IPL 2024, Porel has worked immensely hard with Bengal head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla to be more tight with his defence to be more complete in his batting. 

"Laxmi (Ratan Shukla) da takes care of me very well. He spends lots of hours with me on my techniques. Joydeep Mukherjee sir and Sourav Sir also keep on giving me advice. After last season's IPL, I looked to become more technically sound as a batter to emerge as a better batter in the new season," Porel expressed.

Although most of his teammates in the Bengal team would remain the same, he will have a new captain in Anustup Majumdar this season. Both Abishek and Anustup come from Hooghly and share a brother-like bonding from the early days, 

"The things Ruku da (Anustup Majumdar) did in the last five years for Bengal cricket, Bengal cricket developed from there on. We played two finals in those five years. He has saved many matches for us, which nearly looked impossible."

"The first day he was announced as the captain, he told me and all the others to come up with any inputs and ask for anything. He has told us to feel free to talk with him regarding anything. So, it is like having your big brother with you all the time," Porel expressed.

Retention? Auction?

Though Porel's main focus as of now is to do well in the red-ball format for Bengal, IPL 2025 auction will be in the corner of his eyes as well. Porel last season played all 14 matches for the Delhi Capitals and scored 327 runs at an excellent strike rate of 159.51 including two fifties.

With social media buzzing with him getting retained by the Delhi franchise as an uncapped player, Porel for now wants to focus on what is in his hands.

"There has not been communication from the team yet. I am not thinking about the retention or the auction yet. The main thing I look for is opportunities to play more matches at that level. I do not worry about other things. I see some stuff about retention on social media, but I only want to focus on performing for the teams I am playing for. 

"But, yes, if it is Delhi (Capitals), it would be great because I have spent two years with them. Sourav Sir (Ganguly) is also there. So, it feels like a known place for me."