He did not get a chance throughout the season

Mohammad Kaif feels Delhi Capitals (DC) should have given Abhishek Porel consistent opportunities in the ongoing IPL 2026. The franchise retained the uncapped wicketkeeper-batter for ₹4 crore ahead of the 2025 mega auction.

However, they have used the 23-year-old sparingly this season. Porel was added to the playing XI for DC’s recently concluded clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Dharamsala on Monday, May 11. He was previously used as the impact player after Delhi suffered a batting collapse against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at home.

Kaif emphasized that DC should have backed Porel, considering that he was one of their retained players. The former India batter said in his latest YouTube video:

“Abhishek Porel was among their retained players. He did not get a chance throughout the season. When you retain someone, you need to back him. He did not get consistent chances.”

Porel opened the batting with KL Rahul against PBKS. However, the southpaw failed to impress, perishing for five runs off six balls. Half-centuries from skipper Axar Patel (56 off 30) and the returning David Miller (51 off 28) powered DC to a crucial three-wicket win. They hunted down the 211-run target in 19 overs, recording their second-highest successful run chase in IPL history.

Notably, DC made five changes to their playing XI for the contest. Kaif opined that the Axar Patel-led side have struggled to find their ideal playing combination. Pointing out Delhi’s constant chopping and changing, the cricketer-turned-commentator added:

“Delhi have made a lot of changes. The XI has not looked settled at all. They made five changes in the last game. However, they won the match, but there were five changes. The best team knows their playing XI backs their main players till the end. David Miller was also dropped, but who won this match for them? David Miller. You should give such proven players a longer run. Nissanka plays, gets dropped, and then plays again. Same with David Miller and Auqib Nabi.”

DC kept their playoffs hopes alive with the win over PBKS. They are currently placed seventh in the points table with five victories from 12 fixtures.

“Axar Patel was a little lost somewhere” – Mohammad Kaif on DC skipper’s batting form

Axar Patel’s horror run with the bat ended with a fantastic half-century in the high-pressure match. Mohammad Kaif noted that the all-rounder finally seemed to be back at his best after looking ‘a little lost’ in earlier matches.

Kaif remarked in the same video:

“Axar Patel was a little lost somewhere, but his temperament and attacking style, which we know him for, were visible here. Axar Patel has won a lot of matches for India with his cameos. He never played the anchor’s role. His job was to hit big shots after playing four-five balls. He did that here, and that’s why Delhi won the match.”

DC will next take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Sunday, May 17.