After U-19 triumph, pacer Porel looks for domestic success

Porel, who bounced a back from a serious foot injury to make significant contributions in the final two matches, arrived this morning amid huge fanfare. He was received at the airport by his parents and Cricket Association of Bengal officials. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who had personally called him to congratulate after the World Cup win, also sent him a note of congratulations and a uttorio (scarf) as Porel headed straight to his home in Chandannagar, about 50 kilometres from Kolkata.

"I know the significance of winning a World Cup, I'm just taking it like a learning process. I am very much aware that I've to keep performing well at the domestic level, then only I can make the boys-to-men transition," Porel said.

"Everyone wants me to see in India colours now. But I don't have a remote control. I have to go through the steps.

It's a gradual process, after all," Porel said with a hint of maturity and confidence in his voice. Having pulled out of the ongoing domestic one-day competition for the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Himachal Pradesh, Porel's immediate target is to recover from the foot injury. "Rahul sir (Dravid) has spoken to Sourav sir (Ganguly) about my injury. After a week or so, I will have to go to the NCA for recovery."

Recalling the team's triumph in New Zealand, Porel said he was on the verge of breaking down after sustaining an injury in the group match against Australia.