U-19 World Cup Indian Pacer Ishan​ Porel ​​Bowled ​W​ith Injured ​F​oot​:​ ​C​oach

Kolkata: A foot injury had almost derailed his U-19 World Cup campaign but pacer Ishan Porel was desperate to contribute in Indian team's success so he chose to play through pain, his coach Bibhash Das revealed today.

Having ruptured his out step tissue on his landing leg (left), Porel made a comeback in 12 days from an injury that usually takes three weeks to heal and his 6-2-17-4 skittled Pakistan out for 69 in the semifinal.

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In the final today, Porel (2/30) dismissed both the Australia openers -- Jack Edwards (28) and Max Bryant (14) -- inside the Powerplay before India bundled them out for 216, en route to a commanding eight-wicket win with 67 balls to spare. "He's not fully recovered, and bowled with pain on his foot. Such a kind of injury would take a minimum three weeks to recover," Das, who had a word with Porel after the injury, told PTI.

"It's not actually an ankle injury. He has a tear on his out step of the left leg. He bowled with a heavily taped leg with insole in his shoe, so that he does not aggravate his injury. "It's only because of the advanced treatment in New Zealand that he could play in the three knockout matches," added the coach.

Hailing from a family with strong roots in sports, Porel was a former table tennis player before his good height made him a natural choice for a fast bowler. With a six feet and three inches frame, almost same as India pacer Ishant Sharma, Porel is now struggling to cope with fitness.

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Porel should target the World Cup 2019 now," Das said. Having made his Ranji debut for Bengal this season, Porel has impressed with his pace and bounce. "He was consistently clocking 138kph. "Under-19 world cup is definitely a great exposure. one looks up to the future, from there. Not everyone gets an opportunity to play in the World Cup, even the likes of VVS Laxman, Irfan Pathan did not get a chance.

"But the journey begins now. You have to keep working hard. You cannot stop now. You should know that you won't be 19 again!" It was a festive atmosphere in his locality in Chandannagar, about 50 kilometres away from Kolkata in Hooghly district as thousands gathered with Tricolours and Ishan's posters to celebrate the World Cup win. (PTI)