Justin Langer Optimistic About Rishabh Pant's Comeback in IPL 2025
Langer's Confidence in Pant Ahead of IPL Opener
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India] - As the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) gear up for their opening match against Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), head coach Justin Langer shared his positive outlook on captain Rishabh Pant. Langer believes this season could mark a turning point for Pant, who faced challenges during the 2025 IPL season, as he aims to reclaim his spot in India's white-ball teams.
Pant, who holds the record as the most expensive player in IPL history with a staggering price of Rs 27 crore, finds this season crucial. He faces stiff competition from players like KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, and Sanju Samson, who have emerged as preferred choices for India's ODI and T20I squads.
During a pre-match press conference, Langer remarked, “Rishabh Pant is in great form. He’s competitive, smiling, and showing aggression. His performance against RCB last year was exceptional. However, he understands the competition for spots in the Indian team, especially after their recent World Cup victory. Being an Indian selector or coach is challenging with so many talented players available.”
Langer emphasized the pressure that comes with being a player, stating, “Every player, whether seasoned like Pant or a newcomer like Vaibhav Suryavanshi, is striving for selection. This pressure is beneficial; it helps the best players shine. Rishabh is performing well and has a strong support system to help him excel.”
Despite his success in Test cricket, where he has delivered crucial innings, Pant's T20I statistics show he has scored only 1,209 runs in 66 innings, averaging 23.25 with a strike rate of 127.26, including three half-centuries.
In ODIs, he has accumulated 871 runs in 31 matches, averaging 33.50 with a strike rate of 106.21, featuring one century and five fifties. His last ODI appearance was against Sri Lanka in August 2024, where he managed just six runs.
Having gained fame during his explosive IPL seasons in 2017 and 2018 with Delhi Capitals, Pant is determined to leverage his recent fitness training with cricket legend Yuvraj Singh to bounce back after a disappointing 269-run season last year, where he scored 118* against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the final league match.
Langer, a former Australian opener, reflected on his career filled with pressure, stating, “I thrive under pressure. It’s been a part of my life for 30 years, whether batting or coaching. I embrace it, and it’s essential for leadership. I’ve had a successful career, and I hope my results reflect that.”