Faf du Plessis’ blunt take on under-pressure Rishabh Pant’s INR 27 crore tag: ‘Some guys flourish, some don’t’
Sharing his views on the pressure surrounding Pant ahead of the IPL 2026 season, Faf du Plessis said he could be among the players facing the most scrutiny.
Rishabh Pant will be eager to push his case for a return to India’s limited-overs sides, and the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League could provide the perfect stage to do so. The wicketkeeper batter became the costliest buy in the auction after attracting a massive bid of INR 27 crore, but his campaign with the bat failed to match the hype. Apart from one century, his performances remained underwhelming through the tournament, and the hundred arrived when his side was already out of the race. Pant finished the season with 269 runs from 14 matches, his best being an unbeaten 118. He ended with a strike rate of 133.16, numbers that fell short of the expectations surrounding him.
Lucknow Super Giants' captain Rishabh Pant scored just 18 off 17 against Punjab Kings (AFP)
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Sharing his views on the pressure surrounding Pant ahead of the IPL 2026 season, former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said the wicketkeeper batter could be among the players facing the most scrutiny, especially after a difficult campaign last year and the weight of a massive auction price tag.
"For me, he is probably the player in the IPL who's under the most pressure this season. We always talk about the price-tag pressure. Some guys flourish under that price-tag pressure, and some guys don't. The last season for him was a real tough season. The team struggled and his runs also struggled, the way that he batted," Faf du Plessis said on JioHotstar.
Continuing his assessment, Du Plessis pointed out that the pressure on Pant will not only rest on his batting but also on his role as captain and on ensuring the team performs better than last season.
"So there is all that pressure when he comes into this season, and the expectation on what the team is going to do. With a batting-heavy team, how are they going to maximise the bowling? If he is scoring runs as a captain, it takes pressure off you in the first instance, but then there is the second instance, which is the team, and last year, both of those had big red crosses to their names," Du Plessis observed.
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.
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