After a protracted recuperation from a near-fatal vehicle accident in December 2022, Rishabh Pant made his Indian Premier League debut in the 17th season. Though both of those knocks came in losing causes, his rapid half-centuries against the Chennai Super Kings and the Kolkata Knight Riders demonstrated his tremendous effort and determination. He was a tad slow off the bat.
Pant, nevertheless, had a bad day at the Wankhede Stadium as he could only manage one run in three deliveries during the Mumbai Indians’ challenging 234 run chase. In the meantime, former Indian cricketer Chopra acknowledged that he struggled to decide between Pant and Tristan Stubbs on who should bat higher in the order. According to him, Pant did not appear to be enjoying himself when batting at No. 5 against MI, and the way he spoke during the post-match press conference suggested that it was not his right to bat at that position.
“My feelings about Rishabh Pant and Tristan Stubbs are a little mixed. Tristan has made two straight excellent knocks. The last time, I felt that Rishabh Pant wasn’t happy. Although he is the captain, it appeared that he wasn’t in charge when he spoke during the post-match presentation and moved down the batting order, Chopra said.
“I think Rishabh Pant will bat a little higher up the order against LSG,” says Aakash Chopra.
Chopra went on to say that Pants will probably bat higher up against LSG, which will provide him more time to adjust before unleashing his batting extravaganza. Chopra believes it would be better for everyone if Pant was used further in the batting order because Lucknow’s Ekana International Cricket Stadium is larger than most other locations.
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“I’m sure that didn’t make him very happy. He will thus, in my opinion, come to bat a little bit higher and give himself the whole time. You’ll have to go with Rishabh Pant if he allows himself enough time, as the other team can defend and it’s a large field,” the former Indian cricket player continued.
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