WATCH: 4,6,4,4,6,1; Abhishek Porel Runs Havoc On Harshal Patel During PBKS vs DC Clash

IPL 2024: Abhishek Porel came in as an impact player and smashed 25 runs from the last over against Harshal Patel during DC vs PBKS clash.

Coming in as an impact player, Abhishek Porel left nothing in the tank for the Delhi Capitals as he smashed 25 runs in the last over against Punjab Kings at Mullanpur on Saturday (March 23). Delhi Captials were reeling after a middle-order collapse which saw Rishabh Pant, Shai Hope, Tristan Stubbs and Axar Patel failing to impress. However, Porel stretched the innings to the last over which was bowled by Harshal Patel and took him to the cleaners in style.

Watch the video here:

Abhishek Porel delivered and provided the late flourish for @DelhiCapitals

Watch the match LIVE on @JioCinema and @StarSportsIndia #TATAIPL | #PBKSvDC pic.twitter.com/8awvqO712N

 IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 23, 2024

Abishek Porel (translated from Hindi): I knew I was going in before 3 overs. And the support staff told me be ready as you are one of the impact players. I translated on the field today what I practiced before. My plan was to hit the ball where it came from. 174 is a good score and our bowling unit is good, so let's see.

Not The Ideal 'Comeback' For Rishabh Pant

Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper and star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant's comeback knock during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match against the Punjab Kings on Saturday proved to be a short one, as he could score just 18 runs off 13 deliveries.

Pant's walk to the crease was his first since December 22, 2022. After this Test match against Bangladesh, Pant was involved in a life-threatening car accident towards the end of the year. Though Pant made it out alive, he sustained injuries serious enough to cause him to miss the IPL 2023 and India's ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 run in India in late 2023, in which India ended up as runners up to Australia.

Pant's first delivery was a dot ball. The left-handed player did take his time to settle down, smashing Harshal Patel for his first boundary on his seventh ball, which was soon followed by a classy cover drive to Harshal.

Just when Pant was finally finding some groove, he gave a soft catch to Jonny Bairstow at a backward point while attempting a ramp shot over the keeper. Harshal got the last laugh as he dismissed Pant.

Though his first outing might have left fans asking for more, there will be plenty of 'Pantastic' action in store for DC fans, no doubt as there are 13 more games left. Will the crowds in Delhi get to see the vintage Rishabh? Only time will tell. (MS Dhoni Might Not Play All Games Of IPL 2024: Chris Gayle Makes Big Statement About CSK Legend)

Punjab Kings skipper Shikhar Dhawan won the toss and opted to field against Delhi Capitals in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 on Saturday at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.