Faf du Plessis Critiques Rishabh Pant's Inconsistency in IPL and Test Cricket

Faf du Plessis has voiced strong criticism of Rishabh Pant's inconsistent performances in both IPL and Test cricket. Despite a hefty auction price, Pant's recent stats have raised eyebrows. Du Plessis emphasizes the need for a clear game plan to enhance Pant's performance, suggesting that his chaotic approach may hinder his success. As Pant navigates his career, the former South African captain's insights shed light on the challenges faced by the young cricketer. Discover more about this intriguing analysis and what it means for Pant's future in cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 24, 2026, 20:29 IST

Faf du Plessis Questions Rishabh Pant's Performance

IPL 2026: Faf du Plessis, the former captain of South Africa and a prominent figure in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has expressed strong criticism towards Rishabh Pant, the captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Du Plessis pointed out Pant's ongoing inconsistency, which has been evident not only in international matches but also in the IPL. Despite being acquired for a staggering ₹27.5 crore during the IPL auctions, Pant's performance in IPL 2025 was underwhelming, accumulating only 269 runs across 14 innings, with a significant portion of that total coming from a single innings of 118*, when LSG's chances in the tournament were already diminished.

Du Plessis raised concerns about Pant's approach in Test cricket, suggesting that his technique appears disorganized. He believes that establishing a clear strategy could enhance Pant's consistency in red-ball cricket, as well as improve his performance in T20 formats.

Understanding Rishabh Pant's Inconsistency

“His method in Test cricket seems chaotic. There must be a strategy he envisions for himself in Test matches. The same applies to T20 cricket. It's crucial to define your game plan to avoid being a player who scores only 1 or 2 out of 10, and instead aim for a consistent performance of 60 to 70%,” du Plessis remarked during an interview with Star Sports.

The former IPL star noted that such inconsistencies often stem from having too many options in mind, which can lead to a frantic playing style. He observed that Pant often appears unsettled, giving the impression that he could be dismissed at any moment, which is not ideal for a team's stability.

“It seems like he has too many choices in his mind. He acts as if he can hit a six off every delivery, regardless of the field. However, even in T20 batting, a method is necessary. Top T20 players have a clear understanding of where they will score runs and how they manage their weaknesses. In contrast, Pant seems to be perpetually on edge, making it feel like he could be out at any moment, which can be quite chaotic,” du Plessis added.

Pant began his IPL career with the Delhi Capitals, where he played for eight consecutive seasons before joining Lucknow Super Giants in 2025. Over 125 IPL matches, Pant has scored 3,553 runs with an average of 34.16 and a strike rate of 147.61, including two centuries and 19 fifties. Although he has not dominated the IPL, his breakout season was in 2018, where he amassed 684 runs at an average of 52.61 and a strike rate of 173.60.

Du Plessis Critiques LSG Captain

Despite having decent performances in IPL 2019 and IPL 2024, Pant has struggled to fulfill his potential in the T20 format and has even lost his spot in India's white-ball squad. Du Plessis questioned the rationale behind Pant's high auction price and the interest from IPL franchises, given his less-than-stellar T20 statistics. “When you see players like Pant being auctioned, it raises the question of why there is such a frenzy over him, especially when T20 has evolved significantly in terms of analytical insights. His T20 stats are not impressive. So, what drives this obsession? Even in the last auction, teams were eager to have him,” remarked the former RCB captain, who also enjoyed a successful tenure with CSK.