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22.03.2025
### Rishabh Pant’s Batting Position: Strategic Insights from Former CSK Stalwart for IPL 2025
In a move that sends ripples through the cricketing world, Suresh Raina, former India left-handed batsman, has opined that Lucknow Super Giants should deploy their captain, Rishabh Pant, at the pivotal number four position during the IPL 2025 season. This repositioning, Raina posits, would best utilize Pant’s explosive finishing abilities.
Despite Pant’s omission from India’s recent ODI engagements and the triumphant Champions Trophy tour—where KL Rahul assumed the primary wicketkeeping responsibilities—the IPL offers Pant a formidable platform to reclaim his spot in India’s T20I squad. With Sanju Samson showcasing centurion form in T20Is, Pant finds himself competing intensely for his place.
Raina, serving as an IPL expert for JioStar, expressed during a virtual interaction with IANS, “This season is crucial for Pant to restore his international standing. His leadership is marked by innovativeness and composure. Although I personally advocate for his presence at number three, considering the depth provided by Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, and Aiden Markram, number four seems optimal. Here, Pant can potentially play the role of a finisher, which could tilt the game in LSG’s favor.”
Pant, having become the IPL’s most valued player following a record INR 27 crore acquisition by LSG, previously captained Delhi Capitals across 43 matches. Raina acknowledges the challenging captaincy landscape for Pant, especially with the injury constraints looming over key pacers like Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, Akash Deep, and Mohsin Khan. Moreover, the transition of all-rounder Marcus Stoinis to Punjab amplifies Pant’s strategic workload.
“In their current configuration, LSG possesses a formidable batting lineup complemented by a competent spin attack, notably through Ravi Bishnoi, alongside the mentorship of Zaheer Khan. Pant’s agility and strategic acumen will be critical,” Raina outlined. He reflects optimism for Pant, who, upon returning in IPL 2024 from a severe car accident, scored 446 runs in 13 matches. However, Raina acknowledges room for improvement against spin, given Pant’s previous strike rate of 119.53 in such scenarios.
Anticipating the conditions in Lucknow, Raina suggests, “The home advantage, coupled with Pant’s growing rapport with the local fanbase, could see him thrive spectacularly.”
With the impending T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka enhancing the spotlight, Raina predicts that consistent IPL 2025 performances by national team contenders, including Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, and the aforementioned Samson, will invite keen scrutiny by selectors.
Reiterating Pant’s critical role, Raina concluded, “The left-right batting combination offered by players like Pant, alongside Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel, is pivotal. Each player must remain versatile under the 200-run T20 paradigm. Therefore, performances in this IPL season hold significant implications for future selections.”
### Topics Mentioned:
– Rishabh Pant
– Suresh Raina
– Lucknow Super Giants
– IPL 2025
– Cricket
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