New Delhi: Kevin Pietersen motivates players when they make mistakes and has been of immense help to him personally, keeper-batter Abishek Porel said while insisting that Delhi Capitals still retain belief of qualifying for the play-offs of IPL 2025.
Delhi crashed to a 10-wicket loss to Gujarat Titans even after KL Rahul’s fifth IPL century had lifted them to 199 for three. The loss pegged them back to the fifth spot in the standings, just outside the play-offs spot with 13 points from 12 matches.
Delhi have to win their two remaining league stage matches with healthy run rates and hope other results go their way to enter into the top four.
“We played good cricket, but we were a little behind in some moments — that’s why we couldn’t win. But we still have two games left, and if we win both, we still have a chance to qualify,” the 22-year-old Porel said.
Delhi mentor Pietersen has spent a lot of time with Porel at the nets to improve his range-hitting. The experience has benefitted him, the left hander said.
“The experience with Kevin Pietersen has been great. He guides us on what to do and what to avoid. He appreciates us when we do something right, but more importantly, he supports us the most when we fail,” he said.
“The entire team management keeps reminding us that we can still bounce back. This is my second season, and ups and downs are part of the game. But I’m learning with every match.”
Porel has been an impressive top-order batter for Delhi, opening with Faf du Plessis before batting at the No.3 spot. He insisted to be comfortable at both the spots.
“It’s totally up to the team management. I’ll play wherever they want me to. I don’t think it matters whether I bat at No. 3 or open. I’m focused on doing whatever the team needs me to do.”
Porel has been an impressive top-order batter for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025, initially opening with Faf du Plessis before batting at the No.3 spot. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
