As the IPL 2026 season approaches, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant is once again in the spotlight. The wicketkeeper-batter is preparing for a crucial season after a mixed campaign last year.
Former Chennai Super Kings star Faf du Plessis recently shared his thoughts about Pant’s situation, suggesting that the LSG captain could be one of the most pressured players in IPL 2026.
Rishabh Pant Training with Yuvraj Singh
Ahead of the new IPL season, Pant has been seen training with former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj has worked with several young cricketers in recent years and is known for helping players improve their batting technique and mindset.
Pant joined special training sessions with Yuvraj as he prepares for the upcoming tournament.
The IPL 2026 season begins on March 28, and many players who were not part of the T20 World Cup 2026 have already joined their franchise training camps. Pant is among those focusing on improving their form before the season starts.
Pant’s Role and Pressure at Lucknow Super Giants
Even though Pant is not currently a regular member of India’s T20I or ODI teams, he remains a very important player in the IPL.
He became the most expensive player in IPL history when Lucknow Super Giants signed him for ₹27 crore.
Pant also leads the team as captain, which adds another layer of responsibility.
However, his batting numbers last season were not very impressive.
Rishabh Pant – IPL 2025 Statistics
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Runs | 269 |
| Batting Average | 24.45 |
| Hundreds | 1 |
| Fifties | 1 |
| Team Finish (LSG) | 7th |
| IPL Price | ₹27 crore |
| Role | Captain & Wicketkeeper |
Lucknow Super Giants finished seventh in the points table, and Pant’s batting form became a major talking point during the season.
Faf du Plessis: Pant Under the Most Pressure
Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who previously played for Chennai Super Kings, spoke about Pant’s situation in the upcoming IPL.
He said Pant might be the player facing the most pressure in the tournament because of his high price and captaincy responsibilities.
Du Plessis explained that some players perform better when they carry a big price tag, while others struggle with the added expectations.
According to him, Pant’s previous season was difficult, both for him personally and for the team.
He also mentioned that LSG’s performance this season will depend heavily on Pant’s batting form. If Pant scores runs regularly, it will reduce the pressure on the rest of the team and help LSG play better cricket.
Read more: Rishabh Pant IPL 2026 Price, Team, Career Stats, Records & Full Profile
Despite the struggles, Pant still showed his quality last season.
One of the most memorable moments came in the final match of the season, when he scored a brilliant 118 runs from 61 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
That century was his only hundred of the season but proved how dangerous he can be when he finds rhythm.
LSG’s Upcoming Match
Lucknow Super Giants will begin their campaign soon and face a tough challenge early in the tournament.
LSG Upcoming Match
| Match | Date |
|---|---|
| LSG vs Delhi Capitals | April 1 |
The IPL has already released the initial 20-match schedule, giving LSG several opportunities to improve their results compared to last season.
With a record price tag and the responsibility of captaincy, IPL 2026 could be one of the most important seasons of Rishabh Pant’s career.
If he finds form early, it could transform Lucknow Super Giants’ campaign. But if struggles continue, the pressure around him will only increase.
Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see whether Pant can deliver big performances and lead LSG to a stronger finish this year.
