Bengal head coach Arun Lal was so impressed with Ishan Porel after his tremendous performance in the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Karnataka that he backed the young pacer to dismiss even the likes of Indian captain Virat Kohli on current form. 

Lal, the former India cricketer, foresees a bright future for the tall 21-year-old fast bowler, who has made rapid strides in his young career, making the ball talk consistently at the domestic level and becoming an India A regular. 

Read Also: Porel talks up tactics that helped Bengal overcome KL Rahul's threat 

"He's in great form at the moment. He's bowling deliveries that can get big batsmen out, like a KL Rahul, or a Virat Kohli. He's bowling that kind of bowling," Lal told reporters at the end of Day 3 in Kolkata, with Bengal well placed to reach the tournament final. 

Porel troubled opener KL Rahul with his pace and swing, dismissing him for a duck in the second innings. 

"He's bowling it in that channel. You won't see him bowling one outside leg stump. He's testing you all the time," Lal said. 

"He doesn't give too many runs that's another pressure. KL Rahul is at the peak of his ability at the moment. You watch him scoring runs, he's magnificent, terrific. It's a great achievement to get him out cheaply."

Earlier in the season, Porel got the better of another Indian Test batsman Hanuma Vihari while playing against Andhra. 

"He got Hanuma out with the delivery that rose up from length. I think he's ready, to me he's almost there," Lal said. "I know he has the ability to get the big batsmen out. We are giving him the leeway and rope to go flat out, bowl five-six overs at a stretch."

Porel was part of the Indian U-19 team that won the 2018 youth World Cup in New Zealand where an injury threatened to cut short his tournament in the Group stage before he bounced back strongly for the knock-out phase. 

After this season, the 21-year-old also has a stint with IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab to look forward to. Porel will be hoping to take his game to another level in those two months. 

"Playing IPL gives you huge experience, mental makeup and confidence," Lal said. "If you get International batsmen out, win the match it's huge and adds another dimension to you. The world today demands that you play all formats."

"If I'm a cricketer today, I would like to play all three formats. I would like to be good enough in all three formats. He needs to do that as well."

(Inputs from PTI)