Rs 27 crore tag! Rishabh Pant 'under most pressure' in IPL 2026
Rishabh Pant faces immense pressure heading into IPL 2026 after a disappointing 2025 season with Lucknow Super Giants. Bought for a record Rs 27 crore, Pant's batting form was underwhelming, and LSG failed to reach the playoffs. Former captain Faf du Plessis believes Pant's captaincy and batting performance are under the spotlight.
NEW DELHI: The Rs 27 crore price tag, Lucknow Super Giants’ failure to enter the playoffs in IPL 2025, and poor form with the bat — Rishabh Pant will hope to bury all ghosts of the 2025 season and start afresh when the 2026 edition kicks off. Lucknow Super Giants will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Delhi Capitals on April 1 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Will Pant be under any pressure?
Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis believes that Lucknow Super Giants skipper Pant will be the player under the most pressure in the tournament. Pant became the most expensive player in the tournament's history last year when LSG secured the wicketkeeper-batter for Rs 27 crore. However, his performances with the bat failed to justify his price tag.
Although he scored a century, his overall campaign remained underwhelming, as the ton came when LSG were already out of the race for the playoffs. Pant scored just 269 runs in the 13 matches he played last season at a poor average of 24. 45.
"For me, Rishabh Pant is probably the player in the IPL who is under the most pressure this season. Some guys flourish under the price tag pressure, while some don’t. I think last season was a really tough one for him.