Rishabh Pant has hinted at a continued role in the top order for Lucknow Super Giants despite an unfortunate dismissal in their IPL 2026 opener against Delhi Capitals.
Pant, who walked out to open alongside Mitchell Marsh, looked positive early on but suffered a bizarre run-out. A straight drive from Marsh ricocheted off Mukesh Kumar’s hand onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end, cutting short Pant’s stay at seven off nine balls.
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Reflecting on the dismissal after the match, Pant said dwelling on such moments would only hurt the team moving forward.
“I think the best way to recover from it is to ignore. Something like that, you can’t control, and thinking about it puts you on the back foot,” he said.
PANT EYES TOP ORDER ROLE
While Pant kept his cards close on whether he would continue as an opener, he made it clear that his place would be in the top order.
“I think it’s a 50-50 call, but we’ll see. But you will definitely see me in the top order,” he said.
Pant also shed light on the tactical thinking behind reshuffling the batting order. He confirmed that Nicholas Pooran has been moved away from the top to take charge in the middle overs, while LSG explore a left-right combination at the top.
“The idea was simple. Pooran is taking charge in the middle overs. I’m batting up the order, and we wanted that lefty-righty option so they couldn’t bowl a left-arm spinner early,” Pant explained.
He added that Ayush Badoni’s promotion was also part of a defined role, particularly in situations where early wickets fall and stability is needed.
LSG FALL SHORT DESPITE FIGHT
LSG’s experiment at the top did not pay off as they were bowled out for 141 in 18.4 overs. Abdul Samad top-scored with 36, while Marsh contributed 35, but the hosts failed to build substantial partnerships.
Pant admitted the batting effort left them short on a good surface.
“When you score 140, you’re not really going to put the opposition under pressure, especially on a good wicket,” he said.
Delhi Capitals chased down the target comfortably, reaching 145 for 4 in 17.1 overs. Sameer Rizvi led the charge with an unbeaten 70, while Tristan Stubbs added a steady 39 not out.
Despite the loss, Pant found positives in the bowling effort and the fight shown by his side. However, he also acknowledged that conceding extras and failing to capitalise on key moments proved costly.
For LSG, the focus now shifts to finding the right balance at the top, with Pant’s role set to remain a key talking point in the games ahead.
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