Can Rishabh Pant’s Opening Stint At LSG Revive His T20I Career?

March 17, 2025: Star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is set to embark on a new chapter of his Indian Premier League (IPL) career as he takes over as the captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the upcoming IPL 2025 season. The pressure is high for Pant, not only as the captain but also as the league’s most expensive player, bought for a whopping Rs 27 crore. Pant’s journey from a young explosive talent to a leader at LSG is one of resilience, having spent his entire IPL career with Delhi Capitals (DC) before making the move.

Having been a consistent fixture in T20 cricket since his debut, Pant’s move to LSG comes at a pivotal moment in his career, especially with the looming question of his future in India’s T20I setup. Though Pant has struggled to perform at his best in T20Is with a relatively low average and strike rate, he is hopeful that this IPL season could reignite his form and serve as a stepping stone back into the Indian team.

As captain, one of Pant’s key decisions will be where to position himself in LSG’s star-studded lineup. The team boasts power-hitting overseas players like Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, and David Miller, with Pant himself alongside Ayush Badoni forming a strong core. The challenge lies in balancing the team composition, as none of the big names are natural openers.

Pant himself has batted most often at numbers three to five, with limited opportunities at the top order. Though his numbers as an opener are impressive, with an average of 32.2 and a strike rate of 162.2, it remains uncertain whether he will open the innings for LSG or continue in his usual middle-order role.

Pant has admitted that the temptation to open is there, but there is no clarity yet on the decision. He emphasized that any changes to his batting position would require careful consideration, discussions with the coaching staff, and alignment with the team’s overall strategy. He also acknowledged the value of staying grounded and not rushing into decisions based on external pressure.

As IPL 2025 approaches, Pant’s leadership and decision-making will be crucial to LSG’s success, not just in terms of his batting but also his ability to guide a talented squad through the challenges of the tournament.