Former RCB coach suggests new position for Rishabh Pant, dropping overseas all-rounder for fast bowler in SRH vs LSG IPL 2025 match

India v New Zealand: Final - ICC Champions Trophy 2025 - Source: Getty — Rishabh Pant had an LSG debut to forget with the bat [Credit: Getty]

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) coach Sanjay Bangar urged Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper Rishabh Pant to open the batting in the side's second game of IPL 2025 against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH). The two teams will clash in a potentially high-scoring outing in Hyderabad on Thursday, March 27.

LSG opened the batting with their overseas stars, Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh, in their season opener against Delhi Capitals (DC). Despite posting a massive 209 for 8 in 20 overs, they suffered a heartbreaking one-wicket defeat.

Meanwhile, Pant looked out of sorts at No.4, scoring a six-ball duck in a disappointing start to his LSG stint.

Talking to the broadcasters ahead of the LSG-SRH clash, Bangar said (Via India Today):

"I always believed that in the white-ball format, the best position for him is at the top. Let him open the innings. Drop Markram and get Shamar Joseph. The middle-order is unchanged as far as overseas batters are concerned."

He added:

"And free up Rishabh Pant. Rishabh, as a batter, in the longer format has shown he is a far better player against quality pace too. He has a reputation of hitting against spin. He has done well against pace. So utilise him at the top of the order."

Despite Bangar's suggestion, it must be noted that Pant has opened the batting only four times in 111 IPL innings. The southpaw also has mediocre numbers at the position with an average of 26 and a strike rate of 136.84.

"Can expect him to do well in Hyderabad" - Kane Williamson

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New Zealand legend Kane Williamson backed Rishabh Pant to come good in LSG's second IPL 2025 outing against SRH. The 27-year-old became the most expensive signing in IPL history during the 2025 auction after spending his first eight seasons with Delhi Capitals (DC).

"He is a class player. He has experience. IPL is a long tournament. Players are always going to take the game on. Rishabh is one of the best at that, I think you can expect him to do well in Hyderabad," said Williamson.

Pant enjoyed an excellent season with the bat in IPL 2024, returning after a year-long layoff, scoring 446 runs at an average of over 40 and a strike rate of 155.40 in 13 games.

While LSG suffered a close loss in the 2025 IPL opener, SRH thumped Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 44 runs in their season opener at home.

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Venkatesh has been writing cricket news, listicle and feature articles for Sportskeeda for over a year. He loves cricket because of the diversity of the playing fields and its unparalleled nuances, which no other sport presents. He also enjoys the analytical and quantitative side of the sport, which originates from his MBA degree and 10 years of experience in the IT industry in companies like Infosys, Atos and TCS.

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He started watching cricket in the late 1990s, having been impressed with South Africa and New Zealand’s gentleman-like attitude. Domestically, he supports the Chennai Super Kings for their ability to bring the best out of their players owing to a friendly and conducive team environment.

He admires three cricketers the most – Brian Lara for his batting style, AB de Villiers for changing the paradigm of batting and MS Dhoni for his unique cerebral approach to field placings and batting. Along with cricket, Venkatesh also enjoys watching and playing tennis and basketball. In his free time, he finds pleasure in singing and watching movies and web series.

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Edited by Vaishnavi Iyer