Kamal Ghorui
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has made a strong appeal to Lucknow Super Giants skipper Rishabh Pant, asking him to commit to opening the batting throughout the IPL 2026 season. Pant’s batting position has been a major talking point heading into the new campaign, especially after a mixed run in the previous edition where he struggled for consistency apart from a lone century. In their recent clash against Delhi Capitals at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Pant promoted himself to the top but his outing was cut short by an unfortunate run-out. Opening alongside Mitchell Marsh, Pant added a left-right combination at the top, pushing the in-form Aiden Markram down to No.3. The LSG captain looked fluent during his brief stay, even striking a crisp straight drive off Mukesh Kumar, before a freak moment saw Marsh’s shot deflect onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end, catching Pant short. Reacting to the situation, Ashwin felt Pant should avoid uncertainty and stick to opening. “It was very unfortunate the way Rishabh Pant got out, and even more unfortunate the way he talked after the match. He was asked whether he would open the innings, and he replied 50-50. I request you with folded hands, please open in every match. Justin Langer, or whoever is there in the LSG team management, should go and tell Rishabh Pant to go out there and play freely in the powerplay. Go and play the entire 14 games as an opener,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. He further explained that Pant’s impact could reduce if he bats lower down the order. “If he comes into bat after the powerplay, the bowlers have a strategy to stop him. So, I think he should open the batting, for himself and for LSG as well,” he added. Pant’s record as an opener in the IPL remains limited. Across six innings at the top, he has scored 132 runs at an average of 22.00 and a strike rate of 128.16, including one half-century. Despite Ashwin’s strong stance, Pant indicated that his role is not yet finalised. “It’s still a 50-50 call, but you’ll definitely see me batting in the top order this season,” Pant said after the defeat. Reflecting on the run-out and the loss, the wicketkeeper-batter stressed the importance of moving forward quickly. “The best way to recover is to move on and not dwell on it too much. Certain things are beyond your control, and thinking about them only puts you on the back foot. It’s about looking ahead and staying positive,” he said. LSG will next take on Sunrisers Hyderabad, led by Ishan Kishan, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on April 5, where Pant’s batting position will once again be under the spotlight.
