Delhi Capitals wicketkeeper-batter Abhishek Porel has heaped praise on senior teammates KL Rahul and Axar Patel for their constant guidance, saying he has learned a lot from them both on and off the field.
Speaking to NewsX.com, the young batter described the duo as mentors who have played an important role in his development.
“It has been a very good experience. Both of them are like elder brothers to me. They guide me really well, both on and off the field. I enjoy spending time with them and learning from their experience,” Porel said.
Porel Lauds Axar Patel’s Leadership
Porel also had high praise for captain Axar Patel, highlighting the all-rounder’s leadership qualities and his ability to understand the needs of each player in the team.
According to the 23-year-old, Axar’s communication skills and supportive approach help players feel confident about their roles.
“There is no doubt about Axar Patel’s leadership. Last year we had phases where we were doing well — we had a 6–6 situation at one point — but somehow things didn’t go our way after that,” he said.
“As a captain, Axar is very good. As a person and like an elder brother, he understands what a player wants and what he doesn’t want, and that understanding is very important for a team.”
Porel added that Axar’s support makes it easier for younger players to settle into the squad and perform with confidence.
Focus on Learning From Last Season
Reflecting on the team’s performance last season, Porel acknowledged that while Delhi Capitals started strongly, they struggled to maintain momentum during the middle phase of the tournament.
However, he stressed that the team is not dwelling on past setbacks and is instead focusing on better preparation for the upcoming season.
“Last time we started really well, but after that our performance went a bit up and down. This time we are trying to make sure those mistakes are not repeated,” Porel said.
“Preparation is very important for a long tournament like the IPL, and we are focusing a lot on that.”
Preparing for Different Pitch Conditions
Porel also spoke about the importance of adapting to different pitch conditions, especially with the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League being held shortly after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
“The IPL is happening after the World Cup, so honestly we don’t really know what kind of wickets we are going to get,” he said.
“That’s why we are trying to practice on as many types of wickets as possible. There won’t necessarily be similarities everywhere, so we want to be ready for normal wickets and also adapt quickly.”
No Fixed Role Yet for the Upcoming Season
The wicketkeeper-batter, who has played 31 IPL matches and scored 661 runs for Delhi Capitals, revealed that the team management has not yet assigned him a specific role for the upcoming campaign.
He explained that the current focus remains on preparation rather than strategy.
“We haven’t really decided on a fixed strategy yet. There is still time before the tournament begins. Right now we are just focusing on the process,” Porel said.
“If the process and preparation are strong, the strategy will naturally fall into place. I haven’t been told exactly what my role will be yet, but that’s okay. I’m just focusing on preparing myself and being ready whenever the team needs me.”
IPL 2026 Set to Begin on March 28
The IPL 2026 season will begin on March 28, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match.
Delhi Capitals will start their campaign against Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow on April 1.
