Abishek Porel named in Bengal squad after bail in rape case

Abishek Porel was included in Bengal’s senior men’s squad for practice matches against Assam in Guwahati days after receiving bail in a criminal case. The 23-year-old was granted bail on September 18 after spending more than a month in jail following his arrest on August 11.

A medical student from Karnataka filed a complaint alleging rape under the pretext of marriage and blackmail with intimate photographs. Porel was booked under 19 sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, with most charges non-bailable, along with sections under the Information Technology Act. He has denied the allegations, maintaining that the relationship was consensual.

The Cricket Association of Bengal included him in the 16-man squad that will play red-ball practice fixtures ahead of the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season. Porel plays for Delhi Capitals in the IPL and has not appeared in competitive cricket since the 2026 season ended.