Rishabh Pant enters TATA IPL 2026 for Lucknow Super Giants under close watch, with questions on his T20 consistency, batting role and leadership. On JioStar's
'IPL Today Live', experts Faf du Plessis and Aakash Chopra broke down his stroke play, ideal position and recent work with Yuvraj Singh.
Faf du Plessis told JioStar that Pant's talent is clear, especially in Test cricket, where he plays many shots. He felt Pant has too many options in his mind. Du Plessis said Pant often looks like he can hit sixes every ball, but still needs a clear T20 method.
Du Plessis said great T20 batters show set scoring zones and known weaknesses. He added Pant seems on the edge, with frantic batting that risks his wicket often. He was surprised Pant's T20 strike rate is around 130, given his attacking image from long Test innings.
On JioStar, du Plessis linked this gap to fans' expectations. Viewers watch Pant dominate Tests and assume the same in T20s. He stressed Pant needs a set game plan for the format. That plan should guide his scoring areas and help cut needless risks early in the innings.
LSG's Top Order Formidable: Faf Du Plessis
Discussing Lucknow Super Giants' top order after the 2026 auction, du Plessis highlighted Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, and Rishab Pant form a formidable attack. Marsh and Markram excelled as openers last season. He suggested Pant could bat at number three, with Pooran moving to number four.
Du Plessis said numbers favour Pant at three for LSG. He believes that position can unlock Pant's best output across the season. Pant would then anchor the innings when needed. Pooran could adjust down the order and finish games with his power hitting and experience.
On JioStar, du Plessis called Pant a "highlight player now. He wants Pant to become a "high-impact player in numbers. That means a stronger base over the first six balls. Du Plessis advised against constant premeditation, urging Pant to use his full range, including off-side strokes.
Aakash Chopra, speaking on JioStar's show, said Pant reads the game differently. He recalled Pant's talks with then Head Coach Rahul Dravid in Tests. Chopra said Dravid was unhappy with some attacking choices. Yet he praised Pant's acceptance that parts of his white-ball game must change.
Chopra pointed to Pant approaching Yuvraj Singh for help. He viewed that as proof Pant knows he needs guidance and a clear blueprint. Chopra felt it is a "travesty that Pant is not dominating white-ball formats yet, given his quality, talent and proven skill at higher levels.
On JioStar, Chopra said scrutiny around Pant is fair. He called Pant a "prisoner of his own reputation for unorthodox shots. Last season, Pant kept playing risky strokes despite chances to rebuild slowly. That approach brought criticism during his attempts to regain his best form.
Chopra noted Pant was part of India's T20 World Cup-winning squad in Barbados. Yet he is now out of contention for the national team. Chopra said selectors moved from a middle-order keeper to an opener keeper, then a keeper at number three, leaving Pant outside current plans.
Pant Has To Reasses Himself: Akash Chopra
For Chopra, losing his India place means Pant must reassess. He said IPL remains huge, but national duty is the main goal. Pant now needs to revisit his method and mindset. Both experts, speaking to JioStar, agreed that a defined T20 blueprint is central to any comeback.
The discussion on JioStar underlined the core debate around Pant. He has shown match-winning talent in Tests and flashes in T20s. His 2026 season with Lucknow Super Giants will be judged on consistency, shot selection and how well he settles into a clear batting role.
