IPL opportunity could come again, ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup won’t: Ishan Porel’s father

Unsold in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction this year, Ishan Porel ’s four-wicket haul in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup semi-final against Pakistan, underlined the player’s quality.

To all those --- and there have been many --- who asked Chandranath Porel about whether the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction seem like it came a weekend too early, he has an answer ready.

Indian U-19 cricket team's Ishan Porel appeals for a leg-before-wicket on Pakistan U-19 cricket team's Ammad Alam during the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup semi-final at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Tuesday. (AFP)

“The IPL is an annual affair, the World Cup an experience of a lifetime. You really shouldn’t compare or confuse the two,” said the man who the world now knows as Ishan Porel’s father.

Porel Senior has been taking calls since morning after Ishan’s four-wicket haul made it evident that the boy from Chandannagore, some 45km away from Kolkata, would play an important role in taking India to the under-19 World Cup final.

That was happening in Christchurch and soon after the 203-run win, the Porels connected over the phone. “We (mother Rita included) tried to stay as calm and normal as possible,” Chandranath Porel told Hindustan Times over the phone, sounding calm like he too was coached by Rahul Dravid.

But it was different when Ishan broke down early in the first game against Australia.

“Like I told you, the World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. To see him get injured left us worried and disappointed. We would speak about everything apart from cricket for those few days. His mother would ask him about the places he visited and what he ate,” said Chandranath Porel, who is employed with Eastern Railway, and was a kabaddi player.