Former RCB Coach Recommends New Batting Position for Rishabh Pant Ahead of IPL 2025 Clash vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
Rishabh Pant had a disappointing start to IPL 2025, registering a six-ball duck in his first match. However, former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) coach Sanjay Bangar has suggested a change in Pant’s batting position for Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) upcoming match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Bangar believes that Pant should open the innings in his second match for LSG, giving him the freedom to play his natural game. In LSG’s first match, the team posted a massive total of 210 against Delhi Capitals (DC), thanks to explosive knocks from Mitchell Marsh (72 off 36) and Nicholas Pooran (75 off 30). David Miller’s unbeaten 27 off 19 also contributed significantly, but Ashutosh Sharma’s match-winning 66* (31) led DC to victory.
Pant to Open for LSG in IPL 2025?
Sanjay Bangar is confident that Pant would perform better at the top of the order in white-ball cricket. He also suggested that LSG drop South African batter Aiden Markram, who scored only 15 in the last match, and bring in fast bowler Shamar Joseph instead.
“I have always believed that in white-ball cricket, his best position is at the top. Let him open the innings. Drop Markram and bring in Shamar Joseph. The middle-order should remain unchanged in terms of overseas players,” Bangar stated.
He further emphasized Pant’s ability against both pace and spin, making him a strong candidate for the opening slot.
“Free up Rishabh Pant. He has proven himself against quality pace and has a reputation for attacking spin. He has shown his skills in the longer format as well. So, let him bat at the top of the order,” he added.
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Does the Data Support Bangar’s Suggestion?
While Bangar’s recommendation seems strategic, Pant’s past performance as an opener tells a different story. In his 111 IPL innings, he has opened only four times, averaging just 26 with a strike rate of 136.84—far from his usual explosive standards.
Lucknow Super Giants will face Sunrisers Hyderabad tonight at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. It remains to be seen whether LSG follows Bangar’s advice and promotes Pant to the top order.
