No MS Dhoni or Rishabh Pant as Abishek Porel names his surprising all-time IPL XI

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Abishek Porel, one of India’s rising cricket stars, often grabs attention for his aggressive batting and composed glovework. Currently a key figure for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Porel has carved his own space since replacing Rishabh Pant in 2023. However, the young Bengal wicketkeeper stunned fans and analysts alike after revealing his all-time IPL XI, an unconventional lineup that surprisingly leaves out legends like MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant.

Porel’s journey in the IPL began with modest expectations. Drafted as Pant’s replacement, he played only four matches in his debut season but showed glimpses of talent that made him one to watch. Backed by Sourav Ganguly in the Delhi Capitals camp, Porel grew in confidence and made a statement in IPL 2024, smashing 327 runs at a blistering strike rate of 159.51. His fearless assault on Harshal Patel in the opening fixture that season, where he hammered 25 runs off one over, became one of the league’s defining moments.

Delhi’s faith in him paid off, as the franchise retained him ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Interestingly, he was their only uncapped retention, earning a salary bump from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 4 crore, an astounding 1900% increase. Porel’s 2025 season was solid rather than spectacular, amassing 301 runs at a strike rate around 147. Yet, it confirmed his upward trajectory and growing maturity as a T20 player who thrives under pressure.

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When asked by a media outlet Insidesport to name his all-time IPL XI, Porel’s selections left fans debating fiercely online. He began with the iconic Indian pair of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma at the top of the order, followed by AB de Villiers, arguably the greatest overseas batter in IPL history. Porel’s middle-order picks, however, raised eyebrows. Choosing Jacques Kallis and Brendon McCullum ahead of household T20 names like Suresh Raina, Kieron Pollard, and Andre Russell was seen as both nostalgic and unconventional.

McCullum, the first-ever IPL century-maker, was named as wicketkeeper despite not playing that role regularly during his IPL stints. Kallis, renowned for his versatility, earned a nod for his all-round influence during Kolkata Knight Riders’ 2012 title run. Noticeably missing from the XI was Dhoni, the most successful IPL captain and the tournament’s most capped player, as well as Pant, under whom Porel began his IPL journey.

Porel’s team features Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel as the two Indian all-rounders providing balance in the middle. His bowling attack includes Kuldeep Yadav, his Delhi teammate, as the leading spinner, while Jasprit Bumrah spearheads the pace unit alongside Australian quicks Brett Lee and Mitchell Starc. Interestingly, both Lee and Starc have IPL titles with KKR, from 2012 and 2024 respectively, underlining Porel’s tribute to the Kolkata franchise’s legacy.

Abhishek Porel’s all-time IPL XI:

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Brendon McCullum (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Brett Lee, Mitchell Starc

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