Delhi Capitals assistant coach Pravin Amre has recently said that star India opener Prithvi Shaw’s exclusion from the last few games was justified considering the way Abishek Porel was batting in the tournament. Shaw, who played eight games, scored only 198 runs which came at an average of 24.75 and a strike rate of 163.63, and struck one half-century.

Prithvi Shaw faced poor form this season

“He [Shaw] was our retained played, and as you see, last four [of five] games he was also on the bench. But that’s the IPL,” Pravin Amre said after DC’s 19-run win over Lucknow Super Giants in their last league game of the season. “If you are not in form, you can’t [keep your place]. Ultimately, the pressure for the team is so much that every game is important and we have to win. And we had done that. Without playing him, we won the games. And whoever got the opportunity… I think Abishek grabbed the opportunities with both hands.”

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Abishek Porel stepped up with the bat

However, Prithvi Shaw didn’t play the first two games of the season but scored a quickfire 43 off 27 balls against Chennai Super Kings in his first match as well. He also had a 40-ball 66 against Mumbai Indians but he lost his form after that. Porel, on the other hand, smashed 327 runs in 12 innings which came at a strike rate of 159.51. On Tuesday, he smashed 58 off 33 balls, helping DC score 73 in the powerplay, as he added a 92-run stand with Shai Hope for the second wicket as well.

“What an innings [Porel] played today,” Amre said. “We saw Jake [Fraser-McGurk] getting out in the first over and even then we managed to get 73 runs in the powerplay. I think that’s what was so critical and the credit goes to Shai Hope and Porel for getting that 92-run partnership today,” he concluded.

In the three matches Abhishek Porel played as an opener, he scored 159 runs at a strike rate of 165.62. Both his fifties also came at the top of the order as well.

In a stunning display of power hitting and clinical bowling, the Delhi Capitals surged to a crucial 19-run victory over the Lucknow Super Giants, keeping their slim IPL playoff hopes alive in a riveting encounter on Tuesday. The Capitals’ commanding performance was spearheaded by Abishek Porel and Tristan Stubbs, who delivered sensational fifties to set up an imposing total of 208 for 4.

Explosive batting from Abishek Porel and Tristan Stubbs set the stage for Delhi Capitals

Porel’s blistering 58 off just 33 balls, supported by Shai Hope’s brisk 38, laid a solid foundation as the pair stitched together a formidable 92-run partnership in just 49 balls. Stubbs then took charge with a breathtaking 57 not out off 25 deliveries, including three fours and four towering sixes, forming crucial stands with Rishabh Pant (33) and Axar Patel (14 not out) to propel the Capitals to a daunting total.

Ishant Sharma displays clinical bowling keep Delhi’s playoff hopes alive

The bowlers, led by Ishant Sharma’s early strikes, maintained the pressure on the Super Giants, restricting them to 189 for 9 despite Nicholas Pooran’s explosive 61 and Arshad Khan’s valiant unbeaten 58. Delhi’s triumph not only bolstered their own playoff aspirations but also paved the way for the Rajasthan Royals’ qualification, leaving the Lucknow Super Giants on the brink of elimination.

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With this crucial win, the Capitals moved level on points with Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad, with their playoff fate now hanging in the balance, contingent on a series of other results.