Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka has provided insight into Rishabh Pant’s potential batting position after acquiring the star wicketkeeper-batter during the IPL 2025 auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Pant became the most expensive player in IPL history, joining LSG for a record-breaking INR 27 crore.
Pant, who spent eight seasons with the Delhi Capitals, may open the innings or bat at No. 3 for LSG, according to Goenka. He also named South Africa’s T20 captain Aiden Markram and Australia’s Mitchell Marsh as other options for the opening pair.
“Options are to open with Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh, Marsh and Rishabh Pant, or Markram and Rishabh. Whether Pant comes in at No. 2 or No. 3 is a decision that lies with the team management,” Goenka shared during an interaction with Aakash Chopra on YouTube.
Although Pant has primarily batted in the middle order, he has opened in just four of his 110 IPL innings, scoring 104 runs at an average of 26 and a strike rate of 136.84.
Goenka revealed that England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler was initially a target for LSG as part of their plans for an explosive opening pair. However, Buttler was snapped up by Gujarat Titans for INR 15.75 crore.
“We had a plan involving Rishabh Pant and Jos Buttler for an explosive opening duo capable of scoring 60-85 runs in the powerplay. When we missed out on Buttler, we adjusted accordingly,” Goenka explained.
With both Pant and Nicholas Pooran being viewed as potential captaincy candidates, Goenka confirmed that the decision has been finalized and will be revealed shortly.
“The choice has been made, and we’ll announce it in the coming days. Surprises aren’t my style,” Goenka added.
As LSG gears up for IPL 2025, Pant’s inclusion and role will be critical to the team’s strategy in their quest for the title.