Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant opened the innings in the IPL 2026 clash against Delhi Capitals at Ekana. Last year, he featured at number four, but failed to live up to the potential. In the final league game, Pant moved to three and found instant success, scoring a quickfire century against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This year, he was expected to retain the spot, but Pant went one above to open, while Aiden Markram was made to bat at three.
The move didnโt help either batter. Pant made only seven runs off nine balls before being run out, while Markram added 11 runs. Lucknow were eventually bundled for 141 runs and went on to lose the match by six wickets.
After the game, former Delhi Capitals captain Kevin Pietersen analysed Pantโs decision to move up top, stating that the keeper-batter may have gone a little too far ahead. He assessed that Pant may have put himself under tremendous pressure, which is why he is not able to find success in the cash-rich league.
“I saw a lot of indiscipline from the LSG bowlers. Rishabh Pant addressed that, saying they needed to try everything to take wickets, and I completely understand that. But when you look at the strength and depth of LSG’s batting, is Rishabh Pant really an opening batter? I think he might have gone a little too far ahead of where he was in the line-up compared to last year,โ Pietersen said while speaking on Star Sports.
โLast year, he moved down the order, and now suddenly it’s, โI’m going to come up to the top.โ I think he just needs to go out and enjoy his cricket. Donโt force yourself into batting at three, enjoy the luxury of that position. I think he puts himself under tremendous pressure by opening the batting,โ he added.
Sameer Rizvi spoils LSGโs party
Despite posting 141 runs on the board, Lucknow were in the hunt as Delhi were reduced to 26/4 in the second innings. Thatโs when Sameer Rizvi took over the business and played some sensational cricket, scoring unbeaten 70 runs off 47 balls. Tristan Stubbs played the perfect role of a second fiddle, adding 39.ย
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