Justin Langer Keeps Rishabh Pant's Batting Position Under Wraps Ahead of IPL 2026 Clash

Langer's Strategic Silence on Pant's Batting Order

As the Lucknow Super Giants prepare for their IPL 2026 match against the Delhi Capitals on April 1, coach Justin Langer has chosen not to disclose where captain Rishabh Pant will bat. Acquired for a staggering Rs. 27 crore, Pant had a disappointing performance in the 2025 season, often shuffled in the batting lineup. In four out of five matches, he batted at the fourth position, and during a high-scoring game against KKR, he did not get a chance to bat at all. His most notable performance came when he scored a century against RCB while batting at number three.

There have been speculations about Nicholas Pooran, who excelled at number three with 466 runs in 12 matches, potentially being replaced by Pant. Langer acknowledged the challenge of fitting Pant, Pooran, Aiden Markram, and Mitchell Marsh into the top four, calling it a 'welcome headache' for the upcoming season. He emphasized that he would keep Pant's batting position a secret to prevent the Delhi Capitals from preparing too early.

"I'm not revealing anything. The truth is, I won't disclose where Rishabh Pant will bat tomorrow. I appreciate your inquiry, but if you want a direct answer, I'm not sharing that information. This way, DC won't have the advantage of knowing our plans ahead of time," Langer stated. Pant has previously scored 558 runs in 15 matches while batting at number three, boasting an impressive average of 46.5 and a strike rate of 172.75. After a lackluster 2025 season where he managed only 269 runs in 14 games, Pant is eager to make a strong comeback this season.