"I request you with folded hands, please...": Ravichandran Ashwin begs Rishabh Pant to...
Published - 02 Apr 2026, 04:05 PM | Updated - 02 Apr 2026, 04:28 PM
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) did not implement their plans properly in their first match of the IPL 2026 season as Delhi Capitals (DC) handed them a defeat at the Ekana Stadium. LSG could only get a total of 141 before losing their last wicket.
Before the first delivery of the match, when the openers of the Lucknow Super Giants walked into the ground, fans embraced themselves to see some fireworks as Rishabh Pant, the captain of the team, himself promoted himself as an opener with Mitchell Marsh.
Should LSG demote Rishabh Pant in their batting line-up?
Using Rishabh Pant as an opener was a bold call by the team management, breaking the proven pair of Marsh and Aiden Markram. In the previous season, the opening pair of Marsh and Markram was one of the main driving forces for the team. LSG's experiment failed against the Delhi Capitals last night, as Pant was dismissed for just 7 runs due to an unfortunate runout.
Pant is uncertain to play as an opener in their upcoming games. After the match, the keeper-batter himself mentioned that it is now a 50-50 chance. Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin urged the LSG team management to keep Rishabh Pant playing as an opener, not just for one or two matches, but for the entire season, as the southpaw can do some really explosive things up in the batting order.
Also Read: Rishabh Pant nearly injures Sameer Rizvi during LSG vs DC IPL 2026 clash, video goes viral
Ravichandran Ashwin makes a request to LSG
Ashwin mentioned that if Pant comes to bat as a middle-order batter, then he may have to struggle a lot as the opposing teams will have strategies to stop him. But if it continues to play as an opener, the team will have the chance to utilise the power play as much as possible.
"It was very unfortunate the way Rishabh Pant got out, and even more unfortunate the way he talked after the match. He was asked whether he would open the innings, and he replied 50-50. I request you with folded hands, please open in every match. Justin Langer, or whoever is in charge of the LSG team management, should go and tell Rishabh Pant to go out there and play freely in the powerplay. Go and play the entire 14 games as an opener," the former cricketer said on his YouTube channel.
"If he comes into bat after the power play, the bowlers have a strategy to stop him. So, I think he should open the batting, for himself and for LSG as well," he further added to solidify his point.
It's a 50-50 chance for Pant
According to stats, Pant has opened the innings in 23 T20 matches, where he has a strike rate of 159 with a century and five fifties. Because of the unfortunate run out, after which LSG faced a collapse and never recovered from the early blow, they could change their mind and send their skipper in the middle-order again.
"It's a 50-50 call," Pant said about the chances of seeing him open in the next match for the Lucknow Super Giants.
Read More: Yuvraj Singh name-dropped as ex-LSG coach gives honest verdict on Rishabh Pant's T20 game
About the Author
