The upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) could become a huge turning point in the career of Rishabh Pant. The explosive Indian wicketkeeper-batter is entering the tournament under massive pressure after a poor season in 2024 and losing his spot in India’s white-ball teams.
Pant has not played an ODI or T20I for India since August 2023. He was not even considered for the recent T20 World Cup 2026. That decision was a big setback for the left-hander, who was once considered one of the most dangerous match-winners in white-ball cricket.
Now, IPL 2026 has become his biggest stage for Pant to remind selectors about his ability before preparations begin for the 2027 ICC World Cup and the 2028 T20 World Cup.
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Rishabh Pant Under Pressure To Perform After IPL 2025 Disaster
Pant is under heavy pressure to deliver in the upcoming IPL 2026, starting on March 28. The pressure is even higher because 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 signed for ₹27 crore in 2024.
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With such a huge price tag, expectations from 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 on the points table last season and missed out on the playoffs.
Rishabh Pant also struggled badly with the bat. In 14 matches, the left-handed batter managed only 269 runs at an average of 24.45 and a strike rate a little above 133. These numbers were far below expectations, given his stature as an explosive batter.
Question Mark Over Rishabh Pant’s Leadership Skills
Rishabh Pant’s captaincy is also under the scanner after the Lucknow Super Giants finished seventh on the points table and failed to qualify for the playoffs. The franchise struggled to find consistency throughout the IPL 2026, and many experts questioned whether the pressure of captaincy was affecting Pant’s own performance with the bat.
The Indian wicketkeeper-batter’s several tactical decisions were slammed by the fans and cricket experts during the season. However, Pant decided to push himself down the batting order to number seven in a crucial match against the Delhi Capitals that left everyone shocked.
Overall, Pant’s strategies and calls were confusing. So, the upcoming IPL 2026 season will be a big test of the Indian star’s leadership skills and decision-making on the field.
Poor IPL campaign to put Rishabh Pant’s place in India’s white-ball setup in danger
Rishabh Pant is now keen on making a strong comeback to competitive cricket after missing international action. Recently, the LSG captain, Pant, worked hard to improve his game. He trained in Mumbai under the guidance of legendary 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 improved his fitness as he looked leaner and fitter than before during the LSG’s pre-season camps.
He also showed some positive signs in domestic cricket. Well, competition for places in India’s white-ball teams has become extremely tough. Players like Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, and Dhruv Jurel are pushing hard for opportunities, while KL Rahul has already become India’s first-choice wicketkeeper in ODIs.
Given the intense competition, IPL 2026 could decide Pant’s white-ball future. If he managed to deliver with the bat, it could bring him back into India’s plans. But if the LSG skipper fails again, the road back to the Indian cricket team may become much more difficult for him.
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