Abhishek Porel, the wicket‑keeper batter who vanished after the IPL 2026 finale, has resurfaced in Bengal’s Ranji squad, a move that has tongues wagging across the state.
The 27‑year‑old was booked on August 11 following a complaint from a medical student who claimed a 3‑and‑a‑half‑year relationship, but a court cleared him on Wednesday, granting bail before the season kicks off.
Bengal, now set to face Delhi at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani, have opted for a 17‑man list that reads like a mini‑India team: Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, and rising star Abhimanyu Easwaran at the helm.
Cab official said, "His personal and legal matters are his own; we’ll act if the situation changes," a statement that seems to shrug off the controversy.
With the opener slated for October 4, fans will watch whether Porel can reclaim his form, while Bengal’s campaign opens a door to a potentially trophy‑hungry season.