Rishabh Pant’s intent and potency of seam attack build LSG's playoff credentials
Rishabh Pant (Source: BCCI/IPL)
Published - 05 Apr 2026, 07:44 PM• Read time - 2 mins
Rishabh Pant’s 2025 season with Lucknow Super Giants was one to forget. His tally of 269 runs in 14 games at an average of 24.45 and a strike rate of 133.16 mirrored LSG’s middling campaign, finishing seventh with six wins and eight losses. The captain’s own struggles with the bat were symptomatic of a side that never found rhythm.
Pant’s desperation to reset the narrative was evident in the IPL 2026 opener against Delhi Capitals. In a bold but arguably desperate move, he broke the successful Mitchell Marsh‑Aiden Markram opening axis to partner Marsh at the top. The gamble backfired as Pant scratched his way to seven off nine balls, and LSG slumped to a six‑wicket defeat.
But the skipper course‑corrected swiftly. Against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad on April 5, Pant restored Marsh and Markram to their familiar roles and slotted himself at No. 3. The decision paid off. Chasing 157, the openers laid a steady platform with 37 in 4.4 overs, allowing Pant to anchor the chase. He played a captain’s knock, 68* off 50 balls, measured, calculated, and devoid of risk.
His wagon wheel told the story: nine fours, no sixes. Pant chose responsibility over flamboyance, ensuring he was there at the end to finish the job. LSG crossed the line with five wickets and a ball to spare, a victory that will resonate in the dressing room as much for its symbolism as its points.
The foundation, however, was laid by the bowlers. Opting to field first, Pant’s men executed brilliantly. Mohammed Shami was the spearhead, dismantling SRH’s aggression by removing Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head in successive overs. His spell of 2/9 in four overs at an economy of 2.25 was a masterclass in new‑ball control. Prince Yadav (2/34) and Avesh Khan (2/36) chipped in, restricting SRH to 156.
With Mohsin Khan already impressing in the opener against Delhi, LSG’s seam attack looks among the most reliable this season.
If Pant can continue to blend composure with intent and find support from Marsh, Markram, and Pooran, Lucknow’s settled bowling unit could well propel them into playoff contention. For Pant, the Hyderabad innings may just be the turning point, a reminder that leadership is about timing, patience, and finishing what you start.
