At 25, Ishan Porel has already had several ups and downs in his cricketing career. Just after winning an Under-19 World Cup in 2018, he saw his teammates get picked for millions in the IPL while he was out injured. The fast bowler didn’t let the letdown faze him as he strived for success.
His hard work paid off in the coming years, as he was picked up by the Punjab Kings at the IPL 2020 auction off the back of some impressive domestic performances. Although he didn’t take a huge kitty home, for Porel, it was the start of something that he felt would propel him to new heights.
It’s been four years since then, and Ishan Porel has played just 1 match in the IPL. The pacer warmed the bench in 2020 and 2022, and in the solitary game he got for Punjab in 2021, he failed to make a mark. He subsequently wasn’t picked up at the IPL 2023 auction and didn’t find a bidder in December last year either.
Ishan Porel on IPL disappointment, mental struggles, and light at the end of the tunnel
One might get dejected and think that years of hard work have been wasted away. But Ishan Porel used the disappointment as a motivator. In an exclusion talk with InsideSport, the pacer revealed how he dealt with not getting selected for the IPL 2024 in the auction. He said:
“I became accustomed to this early in my career. When I was playing in the World Cup [2018 U-19 WC Winning squad], I sustained an injury. Despite playing through the injury, I wasn’t available for the IPL auction, and as a result, I wasn’t picked by any franchise. Witnessing my teammates being auctioned for high prices while I remained sidelined made me realize that IPL success isn’t everything.”
“Although it’s a significant platform for cricketers, my domestic performances have been the cornerstone of my IPL opportunities. If I perform well in domestic cricket, opportunities in the IPL will follow. While not being selected for the IPL can be mentally challenging, dwelling on it isn’t productive.”
“I must keep moving forward and focus on performing well in every match I play. Maintaining a positive mindset is crucial, even when facing setbacks. I remain hopeful and confident that I’ll excel in the upcoming season. I’ll always be ready for any opportunity that comes my way.”
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