If you ask Ishan Porel how difficult it is to stay in the bio-bubble, he will tell you it is easier than being at home, doing “nothing” and living away from cricket.
The young pacer is in the UAE for the upcoming IPL as part of the Kings XI Punjab squad.
“The last five-six months have been challenging as we had to stay at home those days and could do nothing much. It wasn’t easy then without cricket.
“But at present it’s pretty much easy because you can meet your teammates at some point in the day and go to the ground for practice. We can do what we love most.
“But yes, staying in the room for six days during quarantine after arriving in the UAE was pretty hard… But right now, we are enjoying being here and we are going on with our preparations,” Porel, who will turn 22 on Saturday, told The Telegraph from Dubai.
“We need to follow the protocol because it’s for our safety. So things aren’t really tough right now, rather we are enjoying it,” he added.
Porel attracted interest after impressive spells for Bengal during last season’s Ranji Trophy and while representing India A.
He is now seeking guidance from Kings XI’s bowling coach, former South Africa pacer Charl Langeveldt, for further improvement and sharpness.
“I’ve been talking to Charl about my accuracy, which is the main thing. Apart from that, we are trying to make plans as to how we need to bowl in the first six overs and the death overs. We’re trying to simulate match situations.
“I’m also working on my yorkers, the slower delivery and slower bouncers as the wickets here won’t be easy for pacers. The weather here is hot and humid too,” Porel said.
The presence of Mohammed Shami in the Kings XI roster is also benefiting Porel.
“I have been with Shamibhai in the Bengal team too, it helps that I can reach out to him whenever I want to. If I am not doing well or failing to do something, he is always there to guide me. He keeps telling me where I need to improve,” Porel emphasised.
The players are getting good advice from Kings XI captain KL Rahul too, Porel added. “He too is always there to ensure you are doing your job properly and not over-pressurising or over-straining yourself.”
Speaking of the slow nature of the UAE pitches, Porel didn’t sound too bothered. “My club cricket experience in Calcutta will guide me here.
“The wickets here are quite similar to the ones in Calcutta, the weather too is more or less the same. So I’m pretty much accustomed to both.
“Therefore, it’s not going to be that hard, but yeah, I’m playing in the IPL for the first time and will be bowling to some of the legends of T20 cricket. In that way, it’s going to tough,” he said.
