Rishabh Pant Praises Bharat Arun as New Bowling Coach for IPL 2026
Pant Commends Bharat Arun's Appointment
Rishabh Pant, the captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), recently shared insights about the team's pre-season training and expressed his admiration for Bharat Arun, the newly appointed bowling coach. He emphasized Arun's significant contribution to the team as they prepare for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. During an interview on JioStar, Pant remarked, "The fast bowlers' camp has been exceptional. Since Bharat Arun joined us, he has been incredibly valuable. We've engaged in numerous discussions about my expectations from the bowlers and his insights on how to enhance their skills. The energy he brings is remarkable. Having previously worked with him on the Indian cricket team, I have complete trust in his abilities."
Building Confidence Through Experience
Pant further noted that Arun's extensive experience and strong relationships with the bowlers are vital for fostering confidence and enhancing their performance. He stated, "His experience is invaluable. The bowlers have faith in him and feel comfortable approaching him, which is essential for a bowling coach. Reflecting on last season, we recognized the need to strengthen our bowling lineup. Arun is undoubtedly someone who can make a significant impact in that regard, and I am thrilled to have him on board."
Emphasizing Enjoyment in the Game
When discussing his role as a fun-loving leader in the dressing room, Pant shared, "Everyone seems to embrace a fun-loving attitude these days, especially given the stressful nature of the environment. It's important to enjoy each other's company; you can sense the camaraderie and joy. If players carry excessive stress and forget to enjoy the game, it can hinder their performance."
He added, "It's crucial not to view cricket merely as a job. I often remind myself and others that we played cricket for the joy of it as kids. While there are high stakes involved, it's essential to maintain the fun aspect of the game. I believe this enjoyment is sometimes overlooked, and if players can recapture that spirit, they will find greater happiness on the field."
IPL 2026 Schedule Announcement
On March 11, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed the schedule for the initial phase of IPL 2026, set to take place from March 28 to April 12. Under Pant's leadership, LSG will kick off their IPL 2026 journey against Delhi Capitals on April 1, followed by matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 5, Kolkata Knight Riders on April 9, and Gujarat Titans on April 12. The defending champions, RCB, will open the tournament against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Lucknow Super Giants Squad for IPL 2026
The Lucknow Super Giants squad for IPL 2026 includes: Rishabh Pant (captain), Aiden Markram, Himmat Singh, Matthew Breetzke, Mukul Choudhary, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Josh Inglis, Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahamad, Arshin Kulkarni, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ayush Badoni, Mohammad Shami, Avesh Khan, M. Siddharth, Digvesh Singh, Akash Singh, Prince Yadav, Arjun Tendulkar, Anrich Nortje, Naman Tiwari, Mayank Yadav, and Mohsin Khan.