Courtesy: BCCI/IPL/TRS Podcast
Delhi Capitals (DC) wicketkeeper batter Abishek Porel has called Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya his inspiration in the The Ranveer Show (TRS) podcast hosted by Ranveer Allahbadia. Porel, who has been playing his third season for Capitals, has looked decent with his bat in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The right-handed batter has scored 301 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of 146.83. Both Porel and Hardik Pandya faced each other during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 game between MI and DC played at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on May 21. Porel, while competing against his mentor’s team, couldn’t be upto the mark with his bat and departed after scoring only six off nine.
After the game between the two sides, popular social media influencer Ranveer Allahbadia released a video of his interview with Abishek Porel, in which the Bengal player can be seen praising Pandya. Replying to Allahbadia’s question, who is the mentally toughest cricketer? Porel said, “My inspiration, Hardik Pandya. His voice tells you how mentally strong he is. I am close to him whenever I meet him, I see what he does. The phase he’s gone through how did he come out of it so easily. He’s so chill, he smiles so much and it doesn’t feel like anything has happened to him. His mentally toughness, that’s what I learn from him.”
Mumbai Indians will aim to lift the IPL trophy for the sixth time
MI, who have reserved their spot in the IPL 2025 playoffs, will now look to win their sixth title and script history under Hardik Pandya’s captaincy. However, the MI team management will expect their skipper to be disciplined as a batter as he has struggled to be among the runs.
Appearing in 12 matches, he has scored only 161 runs. As Mumbai head towards the playoffs, the 31-year-old’s responsibility will be to don the role of finisher in the crucial games coming ahead. Talking about his bowling figures, it’s been decent so far as the pacer has picked up 13 wickets.
