Since LSG acquired Pant, there have been questions about his batting position since people have different views on where the team should slot him.
Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in the league during the IPL 2025 auction as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) got him for a whopping INR 27 crores. Delhi Capitals (DC) used their Right To Match card for him, but that wasn’t enough for them to get Pant back.
Since LSG acquired Pant, there have been questions about his batting position since people have different views on where the team should slot him. On Aakash Chopra’s YouTube channel, LSG owner, Sanjiv Goenka, revealed how they plan to use Pant in their batting order.
“Zak (Zaheer Khan), JL (Justin Langer), and the captain will decide, but options are to open with Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh, Marsh and Rishabh Pant, or Markram and Rishabh. Now that is a call they have to take whether Rishabh will come at No. 3 or No. 2. Those are calls that frankly are beyond my capability and competence.”
Pant used to open the innings while playing for his U-19 teams, but the trends changed as he rose to higher levels. His best spot is at the top, where he can exploit the field restrictions and take on pacers during the powerplay overs.
While playing for his previous franchise, Delhi Capitals, Rishabh Pant used to bat in the middle order, mostly at No.4 or 5. 80% of Pant’s innings in IPL have come at these two positions and found ample success.
While batting at No.4 or 5, the southpaw has 2692 runs at an average of 36.37 and a strike rate of 147.99 in 88 innings, including 15 fifties and a century. Still, Pant’s best value will come while playing in the top order, preferably as an opener.
Recently, India used him at No.3 in the T20 World Cup 2024, and Pant found decent success in a new position. Given the team composition, LSG can open with him and Marsh or Markram next season.
He shouldn’t bat anywhere below No.3, or else his previous struggles will resurface. Even Pant would want to bat in the top order; that brings the best out of him.
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