Faf du Plessis Critiques Rishabh Pant: “Feels Like He Can Get Out Any Time” Ahead of IPL 2026
New Delhi: Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has offered a candid assessment of Rishabh Pant, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper, ahead of IPL 2026, highlighting both his immense talent and the challenges the wicketkeeper-batter faces in the T20 format.
Pant, who rose to stardom in the late 2010s with his 360-degree hitting in the IPL, had a disappointing debut season for LSG last year. Purchased for a record Rs 27 crore, Pant scored just 269 runs in 13 innings at an average of 24.45 and a strike rate of 133.16, with a lone century and a fifty. Despite his potential, his performance left fans and experts questioning his consistency.
Du Plessis on Pant’s T20 Struggles
Speaking on JioStar’s IPL Today Live, du Plessis contrasted Pant’s successful Test cricket career with his inconsistent T20 performances.
“The talent that Rishabh Pant has is tremendous. You look at him playing Test cricket, and you think this guy has all the shots. But in T20 batting, you still need a method. You need a game plan for how you go about your business,” he said.
Du Plessis explained that Pant’s struggles come from trying to hit every ball to all parts of the ground, describing him as “always on the edge” and “almost frantic at times.”
“When you watch him play, you feel he can get out at any time because it is almost frantic. The surprising number for me is his T20 strike rate, which is around 130. How is that possible for a guy with so many shots?” he added.
Batting Order and Strategy
Du Plessis also suggested that Pant might thrive if LSG positions him at number three, allowing the explosive opening pair of Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh to set the tone. Nicholas Pooran could then slide to number four.
“The numbers suggest that for him to be the best player he can be, number three looks good. I see him batting there this season,” du Plessis noted.
Focus on Game Plan, Not Premeditation
The former South African captain emphasised that Pant needs to give himself time to plan his innings rather than premeditate shots on every ball.
“Yes, you might hit a few sixes and play a couple of good innings. But his game plan is not one-dimensional. He can score all around the ground. For me, it is about his first six balls,” he explained.
Du Plessis concluded that Pant should aim to transition from a highlight player to a high-impact player, focusing on producing consistent performances rather than just occasional flashy innings.
A Make-or-Break Season
With India’s T20 setup increasingly dominated by players like Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, Pant’s IPL 2026 season could be pivotal for reviving his reputation and staking his claim in India’s T20 plans for the coming years.
Pant’s combination of talent, shot-making ability, and T20 experience makes him a vital asset for LSG, but as du Plessis notes, clarity, planning, and composure will be key for him to realize his full potential this season.
