Lucknow, 16 May (H.S.): Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant did not walk in to bat during the match against Chennai Super Kings, even after the team had lost three wickets in succession while chasing the target. After the game, Pant revealed that the decision was made to give an opportunity to players who had not received much batting exposure in IPL 2026.

Chasing 188, LSG had raced to 135 for no loss in 12 overs. After that, the side lost three wickets within nine runs. Even then, Rishabh Pant did not come in to bat. After Nicholas Pooran, the team sent Abhishek Samad and Mukesh Choudhary to the crease. Ultimately, LSG won the match by seven wickets.

After the match, Pant said, “I was ready to bat, but the team management felt it would be better to give a chance to players who have not had many opportunities this season. I kept thinking whether I should go in or not, because I wanted to be on the field. But sometimes you have to respect the team’s thought process and decisions.”

This season, Pant has not batted below number four. In 11 innings, he has batted at number three seven times, at number four three times, and once as an opener. During the match, he was seen sitting in the dug‑out, wearing his pads.

LSG have changed their opening pair several times this season. At present, Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis are the team’s regular openers. Aiden Markram has also opened the batting for the side. The team initially adopted a strategy of sending two overseas batters to open the innings, but that approach has not been consistently successful. Inglis spent a long spell outside the playing XI, while Markram and Nicholas Pooran have also failed to score runs as expected.

Speaking about the strategy, Pant said, “Our first idea was that two overseas batters would open the innings and Nicky (Nicholas Pooran) would bat at number three. But many times it is difficult to implement your thinking on the field in the right way. We have faith in our team, but there is disappointment when you know your side has the talent, yet small tactical points prevent you from executing your plans.”

He added, “In my view, the team can suffer the most damage from over‑thinking.”

This is not the first time Pant has commented on the many voices in the dressing room. Earlier, after the loss in the Super Over against Kolkata Knight Riders, he had said that “too many brains on the field do not make it easy to take

decisions.”

LSG's support staff includes cricket director Tom Moody, head coach Justin Langer, strategic consultant Kane Williamson, pace‑bowling coach Bharat Arun, assistant coaches Lance Klusener and Ryan Cook, and spin‑bowling coach Carl Crowe.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar