Ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season, former South African captain Faf du Plessis believes that Rishabh Pant will be under more pressure than any other player in the tournament.
Pant, who leads Lucknow Super Giants, enters the season after a disappointing 2025 campaign. Despite being the league’s most expensive player with a ₹27 crore price tag, he struggled to deliver consistent performances with the bat. Du Plessis noted that such expectations can either motivate players to excel or weigh heavily on their performance.
A Crucial Season for Pant
The upcoming season could be pivotal for Pant’s career, not just in the IPL but also in India’s limited-overs setup. With strong competition from players like KL Rahul in ODIs and Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, and Jitesh Sharma in T20Is, Pant will need a standout season to re-establish himself as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter.
In the previous season, Pant managed only 269 runs in 13 innings, with inconsistent form impacting both his personal performance and the team’s results.
Team Balance and Bowling Concerns
Du Plessis also highlighted concerns around LSG’s team composition, particularly its bowling attack. With a batting-heavy lineup, the team will rely on Pant’s form to ease pressure on the bowlers. A strong performance from the skipper could significantly influence the team’s overall balance.
Spotlight on Emerging Talent
The veteran batter praised young spinner Digvesh Rathi for his impressive debut season, where he picked up 14 wickets and troubled many batters with his unique style. However, he questioned how effective Rathi would be this season now that opponents are more familiar with his approach.
Injury Worries for Hasaranga
Du Plessis also expressed concern over the fitness of Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who is recovering from an injury sustained during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. He suggested that Hasaranga may miss the early part of the tournament, forcing the team to rethink its bowling combination.
Season Opener
Lucknow Super Giants are set to kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Delhi Capitals on April 1 in Lucknow, with all eyes on Pant as he looks to turn the tide and silence critics with a strong comeback season.
