Match-fixing or blunder? Ex-cricketers drop shocking remarks on controversy involving Abishek Porel in DC vs RR clash

Former Indian cricketers in Harbhajan Singh, Ajay Jadeja, and Saba Karim speculated that Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson deliberately didn't use DRS against Abishek Porel during the game against Delhi Capitals. The match between the two teams took place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Wednesday (16th April).

Delhi Capitals batter Abishek Porel had a decent outing with the bat in the game against the Rajasthan Royals. Opening the batting, the left-hander took his team off to a flying start, and with the way he was batting, it seemed that he would end up getting a big score.

Abishek Porel slammed his first 24 runs in just 7 balls. But after that, he struggled to get going. The keeper-batter couldn't time the ball to perfection as he slammed his next 25 runs in 30 balls, with the help of just one boundary, as Rajasthan Royals bowlers were all over him.

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Abishek Porel also enjoyed a fair share of luck during his stay at the crease. On the last ball of the 13th over, Jofra Archer bowled a nasty bouncer that was angled across the batter. The batter tried to ramp it away but couldn't connect as Sanju Samson, behind the stumps, gathered the ball.

Rajasthan Royals didn't appeal after Abishek Porel got a big nick

However, later, it was shown that on the ball, Abishek Porel got a big nick on that, but the Rajasthan Royals team didn't appeal at all. Skipper Sanju Samson and bowler Jofra Archer seemed to have no clue about that as the Delhi Capitals batter got a lifeline.

As this was displayed on the screen, Saba Karim, who was in the commentary panel, talked about the same and said:

"This was Jofra Archer's last ball, he tried to play a ramp here. Sanju Samson didn't feel it, bowler also didn't appeal. But it was a nick, and it was quite thick."

Those who come after him will hit a lot - Harbhajan Singh on why RR didn't appeal against Abishek Porel

Harbhajan Singh, who was part of the commentary panel, said that it could've been a possibility that the Rajasthan Royals didn't appeal deliberately because they were scared of power hitters. He added:

"Very faint edge, very faint edge. Ajay bhai, is it possible that Rajasthan Royals allowed him to play? Because those who come after him will hit a lot. So let him play."

Ajay Jadeja acknowledged that and said, "It is possible. Because those who come after him are more dangerous."

Watch: Star Sports experts share their take on RR not appealing for Abishek Porel's wicket

Here's the video:

Was not appealing for #AbhishekPorel’s wicket after a clear edge part of a tactical move by #RR? 🧐@harbhajan_singh in the comm box certainly seemed to think so! 🎙#IPLonJioStar 👉 #MIvSRH | THU, 17 APR | 6:30 PM LIVE on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi & JioHotstar! pic.twitter.com/0dQkBf1VLD

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 17, 2025

Thankfully, that didn't cost Rajasthan Royals much, as Abishek Porel got out on the next ball that he faced. The Delhi Capitals batter ended with an innings of 49 runs off 37 balls. He batted with a strike rate of just over 132 and also slammed five fours and one six during his stay at the crease.

Coming to the match, Delhi Capitals went on to beat Rajasthan Royals in the Super Over. The game went down the wire as Mitchell Starc defended 9 runs in the final over to take the game into a super over, which the home team won easily.

Also read: Sanju Samson, Rahul Dravid blasted for Super Over blunder; Rajasthan Royals' exit stamped?