KOLKATA: Wicketkeeper-batter Abhishek Porel, who was recently released on bail amid serious allegations of rape and other sexual offenses, has been selected for Bengal’s 17-member squad for their opening match of the Ranji Trophy season against Delhi, set to take place in Kalyani. Porel has not participated in competitive cricket since the conclusion of IPL 2026 and was taken into custody in August following accusations that he engaged in sexual relations with a woman under the pretense of marriage.
After being granted bail, Porel has now been included in Bengal’s Elite Group C opener, with Abhimanyu Easwaran continuing to lead the team. The match will occur at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani, as the original venue, Eden Gardens, prepares to host Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the opening of the Durga Puja festivities on October 10.
Porel’s selection follows his prior inclusion in Bengal’s squad for practice matches held in Guwahati last month. A Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) official previously stated to Cricinfo, “His personal and legal matters are his own matters. If the situation changes, we will take the appropriate action. But for now, there’s no issue from our side.”
He was arrested by Mogra police in the Hooghly district on August 11 after a complaint was lodged by a medical student from Karnataka. The woman alleged that she had been in a relationship with Porel for approximately three-and-a-half years, during which they had plans to marry. The police registered a case under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 69, as well as provisions of the Information Technology Act. Hooghly (Rural) Superintendent of Police Kunwar Bhushan Singh confirmed Porel’s arrest, stating, “There was a case lodged against him and a court order to arrest him. He was arrested late last night. He will be produced in court today.”
Apart from Porel’s inclusion, Bengal has assembled a formidable pace attack for their campaign, featuring senior Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, and Akash Deep, who is eager to regain his form and fitness after recovering from an injury ahead of India’s tour to New Zealand. Sudip Kumar Gharami has been appointed as Easwaran’s deputy, while Shahbaz Ahmed, who suffered an injury during the Duleep Trophy, has been excluded from the squad.
Last season, Bengal topped their group before being eliminated in the semi-finals by eventual champions Jammu and Kashmir. In the current tournament, Bengal and Delhi are grouped with Gujarat, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Services.
