LSG’s ‘secret’ questioned as inconsistency mounts, Rishabh Pant risks being left confused: 'He should open'
The debate around Rishabh Pant’s role began in LSG’s opening game of IPL 2026 against Delhi Capitals, when the skipper made a surprise move to open the innings
Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has raised concerns over how Rishabh Pant is being handled at Lucknow Super Giants, suggesting there may be more going on behind the scenes regarding his role. According to Ashwin, the lack of clarity could end up confusing the captain himself, and he believes the franchise would be better off assigning Pant a fixed role for the entire season.
Lucknow Super Giants' captain Indian cricket player Rishabh Pant looks on during the 2026 IPL match against Delhi Capitals (AFP)
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The debate around Pant’s role began in Lucknow’s opening game of IPL 2026 against Delhi Capitals, when the skipper made a surprise move to open the innings. The gamble, however, did not pay off. Pant managed just seven runs before being dismissed in a bizarre run-out, triggering a collapse in the batting unit.
Despite facing criticism for the move, Pant later hinted that he could continue in the same role. However, Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, felt there was a lack of conviction in that statement, which only added to the uncertainty surrounding the decision.
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“All of these statements will not confuse anyone but himself. The reason why Rishabh gave such a statement is because there is some secret. It means that the team management is discussing this with him. There is no doubt in my mind,” Ashwin said.
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“All of these statements will not confuse anyone but himself. The reason why Rishabh gave such a statement is because there is some secret. It means that the team management is discussing this with him. There is no doubt in my mind,” Ashwin said.
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“If I were there, Rishabh would open for the entire season. But what is happening now, there should be no inconsistency in what you are saying. I know he made a hundred at No. 3, but opening suits him, so you should have some patience,” he added.
Pant has opened in T20 cricket 23 times, scoring at a strike rate of 159, with one century and five fifties. However, his recent move did not appear to be entirely data-driven.
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The wicketkeeper-batter explained that the decision was tactical, aimed at creating a left-right combination at the top and denying the opposition the option of using a left-arm spinner early in the innings.
Whether Lucknow remain committed to the move will become clearer in their next game against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Sunday.
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.
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Home/Cricket/LSG’s ‘secret’ questioned as inconsistency mounts, Rishabh Pant risks being left confused: 'He should open'
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