New Delhi: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant revealed the idea behind the decision to open the batting for his team in their opener against Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 on Wednesday. The opening experiment failed as Pant was dismissed cheaply on 7 off 9 balls after suffering an unfortunate run-out on the non-striker’s end.
Pant opened the batting with Mitchell Marsh, after LSG head coach Justin Langer refused to reveal the skipper’s batting position ahead of their clash against DC. Pant was expected to bat at no.3 and his promotion to the top left many surprised as LSG had to break the successful opening pair of Marsh and Aiden Markram.
The decision was even more surprising as Markram was in top-notch form for South Africa while opening the batting in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2026. The decision also meant Nicholas Pooran, who was LSG’s best batter at no.3 with over 400 runs in the position last season, was demoted. Pooran batted at no.5, behind Ayush Badoni.
When asked about the decision for him to open in the game, Pant said it was to maintain the left-right combination at the top and to counter DC’s plans of bowling left-arm spinner Axar Patel in the Powerplay. However, the plan didn’t work as Pant was dismissed in the 3rd over of his side’s innings after a straight shot from Marsh saw the ball crash into stumps off pacer Mukesh Kumar’s hands.
“We wanted to explore that lefty-righty option at the top so they couldn’t bowl a left-arm spinner. Unfortunately, I got out at the wrong time. Otherwise, Axar Patel still had to bowl one over in the power play and that gives us the edge over them,” Pant said about LSG’s decision to open the batting with him and Marsh.
Pant also opened up on the idea behind using Badoni above Pooran in the batting order. Badoni came on as an Impact sub after LSG lost quick wickets at the top. He was used as an Impact Sub, being an all-rounder, but the decision to bat him above Pooran left many puzzled.
“I think the idea was very simple. Like he’s (Pooran) taking the charge in the middle overs. He’s not batting in the top order anymore because I’m batting up the order,” said Pant.
“But at the same time, you know, it’s part and parcel of the game and that’s the role we are defining for Badoni, when the situation is tough like that, when we lose early wickets, that’s the time he needs to make a mark,” he added about Badoni’s role.
Despite opening for his team in their first game of the season, Pant said it was a “50-50” situation when asked if he would open the batting for LSG throughout IPL 2026.
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