The upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) could become a big turning point for Rishabh Pant’s career. The explosive Indian wicketkeeper-batsman is entering the tournament under immense pressure in 2024 after a poor season and losing his place in India’s white-ball teams.
Pant has not played an ODI or T20I for India since August 2023. His name was also not considered for the recently held T20 World Cup 2026. The decision was a major blow for the left-handed batsman, who was once considered one of the most dangerous match-winners in white-ball cricket.
Now, IPL 2026 becomes the biggest platform for Pant to remind the selectors about his potential before preparations begin for the 2027 ICC World Cup and 2028 T20 World Cup.
Rishabh Pant is under pressure to perform after the disaster of IPL 2025
There is immense pressure on Pant to perform well in the upcoming IPL 2026, starting from March 28. The pressure is even greater as the Indian wicketkeeper is leading the Lucknow Super Giants and also holds the record of being the most expensive player in IPL history after being contracted for ₹27 crore in 2024.
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With such a huge price tag, the expectations of the franchise and fans were very high. However, the 2025 season did not go well for Pant or the Lucknow Super Giants. The franchise finished seventh in the points table last season and missed the playoffs.
Rishabh Pant also had to struggle badly with the bat. In 14 matches, the left-handed batsman scored only 269 runs at an average of 24.45 and a strike rate just above 133. Given his stature as an explosive batsman, these numbers were well below expectations.
Question mark on Rishabh Pant’s leadership ability!
Rishabh Pant’s captaincy is also under question after Lucknow Super Giants finished seventh in the points table and failed to qualify for the playoffs. The franchise struggled to find consistency throughout IPL 2026 and many experts raised questions about whether the pressure of captaincy was affecting Pant’s performance with the bat.
Many of the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman’s tactical decisions were criticized by fans and cricket experts during the season. However, Pant surprised everyone when he decided to push himself to number seven in the batting order in a crucial match against Delhi Capitals.
Overall, Pant’s strategies and calls were confusing. Therefore, the upcoming IPL 2026 season will be a big test of the Indian star’s leadership skills and decision making on the field.
Rishabh Pant’s place in India’s white-ball team is in danger due to poor IPL campaign
After missing from international cricket, Rishabh Pant is now keen to make a strong comeback in competitive cricket. Recently, LSG captain Pant worked hard to improve his game. He trained in Mumbai under the guidance of great Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh.
The focus during this training camp was mainly on improving his power-hitting and making better decisions in white-ball cricket. Additionally, Pant also improved his fitness as he looked leaner and fitter than before during LSG’s pre-season camps.
He also gave some positive signs in domestic cricket. Well, the competition for places in India’s white-ball teams has become extremely tough. Players like Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and Dhruv Jurel are fighting hard for the opportunity, while KL Rahul has already become India’s first-choice wicketkeeper in ODIs.
Given the tough competition, IPL 2026 could decide Pant’s white-ball future. If he manages to perform well with the bat, it could bring him back into India’s plans. But if the LSG captain fails again, the path to a comeback in the Indian cricket team could become even more difficult for him.
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