Legendary former India seamer Zaheer Khan wasn't too impressed by Lucknow Super Giants' move to change their opening combination in the game against the Punjab
Kings on Sunday, April 19, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.
Chasing a mammoth 255-run target, Lucknow decided to send Ayush Badoni out to open with Mitchell Marsh, while Aiden Markram, who had been opening in the last four matches being sent to No. 5. This was the second time Markram had to relinquish his opening slot in IPL 2026 after doing so well at the top last season. In Lucknow's first game this year against the Delhi Capitals, Rishabh Pant had opened with Marsh, with the South African T20 skipper walking out to bat at No. 3.
Zaheer opined that the constant shuffling at the top of the order from the Lucknow Super Giants' management is not doing the team any good. He believes that it is stopping the batting department from doing justice to its potential. Zaheer said that making changes down the order is understandable but the top order needs to be fixed.
"It was a bizarre call. Badoni is a capable batter with a versatile style of play. But you have to think about the season as well. Aiden Markram has now batted at three different positions this season. How will you bring in stability in the batting group? That's where LSG is looking a little clueless in terms of managing resources and making the impact this batting lineup can have," Zaheer said on Cricbuzz while questioning the change in batting order.
"You need stability at the top in this format. You can't have different openers batting throughout the season. That won't set the tone right. You can do experimentations after 3,4 and 5. Like, if you get an amazing, send Pooran in if you want. But the opening stability is a must, and that is a miss from LSG this season," he added.
Chasing the 255-run target, Lucknow were restricted to 200/5. Badoni scored 35 off 21 deliveries, while Markram aggregated a 22-ball 42. Earlier in the day, Priyansh Arya (93) and Cooper Connolly (87) played sensational knocks after Lucknow won the toss and opted to field first. With the 54-run win, Punjab consolidated their position at the top of the standings. Meanwhile, Lucknow are staring down the barrel, sitting at No. 8.
