Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis predicts that Rishabh Pant, the skipper of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), will be the player under the most pressure in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season starting on March 28. Pant, who was the costliest player last year at Rs 27 crore, failed to live up to expectations with his batting performance, despite scoring a century. This lackluster display has put him in the spotlight.
Du Plessis emphasized the weight of the hefty price tag and Pant’s subpar showing in the previous season, which will add to the pressure on the LSG captain. He mentioned that some players thrive under such pressure, but last season was challenging for Pant due to his struggles with both personal and team performance. The burden of expectations and the need for a strong batting performance will test Pant’s leadership skills.
Pant managed to score only 269 runs in 13 matches last season, averaging a modest 24.45. His form will be closely scrutinized as LSG kicks off their IPL 2026 campaign against Delhi Capitals at Ekana Stadium on April 1.
