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'The Way He Batted...,' Rishabh Pant Lauds Abhishek Porel Despite DC's Defeat Vs PBKS

Abhishek Porel in action [AP]Abhishek Porel in action [AP]

Delhi Capitals faltered against Punjab Kings in their season opener by four wickets in the latter's newly opened home, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur. 

After setting up a 175-run target for the hosts, thanks to Abhishek Porel's late antics with the bat, scoring 32* (10), DC handed them a win with four balls spare.

Regardless of the loss where the bowlers pulled things back towards the end, Rishabh Pant felt they were about par in the first innings while congratulating Porel for his effort at the death.

“I think we had a par score. The wicket played exactly the way we wanted it to play. Abishek Porel did well to give us those extra runs. He's pretty new (on Porel); the way he batted was very special, looking forward to more from him as the season moves forward," Pant said in the post-match presentation. 

Citing the main reason for falling short at the end, Pant suggested that Ishant's injury didn't help their case, having already left a bowler short at the start. He also praised the bowlers for pulling things back.

“I think Ishant's injury was clearly evident in the field, we were already one bowler short because of our batting. We were always one bowler short. No excuses, having a bowler short was never good," he added. 

Pant admitted having mixed feelings to start off when asked about his return, his innings, and his comeback after such a long break.

“See, personally, pretty nervous but at the same time you have to go through it when you enter the field. It’s not the first time you are feeling nervous so happy about that," the DC captain concluded. 

Up next, the Capitals will take on Rajasthan Royals in their second game in the tenth group-stage fixture of the tournament on March 28 in Jaipur.