Cheteshwar Pujara Discusses Rishabh Pant's T20 Challenges and Captaincy Future

Pujara Analyzes Pant's T20 Struggles

Cheteshwar Pujara has shared his thoughts on Rishabh Pant's difficulties in T20 cricket following a disappointing season with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). The former Indian cricketer, who has partnered with Pant in many memorable Test innings, expressed his astonishment at Pant's inability to excel in the shortest format. Pujara believes that Pant's T20 statistics should reflect a much stronger performance. He noted that there isn't much technically amiss with Pant's batting but emphasized the need for him to enhance his off-side play.

“I am quite surprised. A player of his caliber can dominate bowlers in Test matches. However, his IPL stats do not mirror that prowess. I still regard Rishabh Pant as a top-quality batter capable of succeeding in all formats. His T20 record should be significantly better than it currently is. I don't see many technical flaws in his batting; it’s more about his mindset and clarity of thought when he steps onto the field. He needs to identify the shots he should play, especially since he has a good understanding of his strengths in Test cricket. In T20s, he tends to favor the leg side, and improving his off-side game could lead to greater success,” Pujara remarked during his appearance on JioHotstar's 'Champions Waali Commentary.'

Should Pant Consider Stepping Down as Captain?

In the same discussion, Pujara raised the question of whether Pant should reassess his role as captain. Reflecting on Hardik Pandya's captaincy challenges, he suggested that focusing solely on batting might benefit the LSG captain. “That’s a question only he can answer. We’ve seen similar situations with players like Rishabh Pant, who hasn’t been in great form while leading the team. It’s uncertain if captaincy impacts their performance. They are in the best position to evaluate that,” Pujara stated.

“However, it can indeed have an effect. For Rishabh, concentrating more on his game could be advantageous. Captaincy hasn’t seemed to aid his performance much. Ultimately, it’s his choice whether to continue leading or if the franchise should consider a different captain. If stepping back allows him to improve his game, then that might be the right path. It’s a personal decision. At the end of the season, it’s essential to reflect on what went wrong, both as a leader and as an individual, and work on those areas,” Pujara concluded.