IPL 2026: Rishabh Pant to continue as opener? LSG skipper reveals after defeat
Rishabh Pant’s opening gamble failed as he was run out for 7 in a freak dismissal during Lucknow Super Giants’ loss to Delhi Capitals. Calling it a “50-50” decision, Pant said he will still bat in the top order. A brilliant partnership between Sameer Rizvi and Tristan Stubbs sealed the win for DC.
NEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant’s bold move to open the innings didn’t go as planned as Lucknow Super Giants slumped to a defeat against Delhi Capitals in their IPL 2026 opener, raising questions about his role at the top. Pant’s outing ended in a bizarre run-out in the third over. A straight drive from Mitchell Marsh was deflected onto the stumps by Mukesh Kumar, catching Pant well short at the non-striker’s end.
The LSG skipper, who scored 7 off 9 balls, walked off visibly frustrated after the unlucky dismissal. Reflecting on the moment, Pant said, “I think the best way to recover from it is to ignore. I think that’s the best way looking forward because you know something like that, you can’t control, but thinking about it definitely puts you on the back-foot.
” He also admitted that the team struggled to build partnerships: “See, it’s always the case, but you know the way we batted, we couldn’t get a partnership going for long. ” Pant’s promotion to the top, breaking the established pair of Aiden Markram and Marsh, raised eyebrows. Addressing whether he will continue as opener, he said, “I think it’s a 50-50 call, but we’ll see.
But definitely see me in the top order. ” LSG’s batting faltered throughout, managing just 141 in 18. 4 overs despite starts from Markram and a fighting 35 from Marsh.