“It was Rishabh Pant’s spot” – Aakash Chopra questions Delhi Capitals’ decision to send Abishek Porel at three

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra questioned Delhi Capitals’ think tank to send in young Abishek Porel at one down against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday. DC was chasing a huge score of 235 and they decided to promote Porel in the batting order after David Warner was dismissed cheaply on 10.

The youngster scored 41 runs off 31 balls before he was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah but the renowned commentator feels that the management should have sent Rishabh Pant up in the batting order.

DC were already without the services of their hard-hitting all-rounder Mitchell March. Furthermore, Pant had scored two back-to-back fifties against Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders.

Meanwhile, DC could only manage 205-8 and lost the match by 29 runs as MI won their opening match of the season.

“You are rarely successful in a 234-run chase. However, they gave it a fight. Here I have a question. Prithvi Shaw was playing well. David Warner had gotten out – no issues. However, who came to bat at No. 3 – Abhishek Porel. Nothing against the kid, he is very good, he once hit Harshal Patel for 25 runs in the last over, but it was Rishabh Pant’s spot,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“Rishabh Pant should have come. Why didn’t you come? You didn’t give yourself time. Abhishek Porel did whatever he could. He was running close to a strike rate of 150, which is not a bad outcome, but you were chasing 234,” the former India opener added.

On the other hand, the renowned commentator heaped praise on Jasprit Bumrah, who returned with magical figures of 2-22 in his quota of four overs. Bumrah clean bowled Prithvi Shaw, who scored 66, with a scorching yorker.

“Prithvi Shaw batted well and they needed Jasprit Bumrah to dismiss Prithvi Shaw. Boom Boom is in a different league. In such matches, when you are defending a total, you feel it’s not a 20-over game because runs aren’t scored at all in Jasprit Bumrah’s four overs and he also picks up wickets. He eventually dismissed Abhishek Porel as well,” he elaborated.

Chopra, the former Delhi player, showered praise on Tristan Stubbs, who scored a blistering knock of 71 runs off just 25 balls and kept DC in the hunt for some time.

“Tristan Stubbs came later and kept you alive for some time. He kept hitting sixes. He scored 70-odd runs in very few balls. However, you had to lose in the end because the runs were too much. Delhi have lost another game and their situation is like Bengaluru’s,” he said.

Delhi Capitals will next take on Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Friday.