Rishabh Pant’s T20I comeback staged ahead of T20 World Cup 2026, new role assigned

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LSG Captain Rishabh Pant

The former Indian batter Robin Uthappa has boldly claimed that Rishabh Pant’s T20 career can take a dramatic turn if one key change is made. He claimed that Rishabh Pant belongs at the top of the order in T20 cricket; sticking in the middle will only make things worse for the Indian star.

Robin Uthappa’s strong message to Rishabh Pant ahead of IPL 2026

The Indian wicketkeeper-batter was recently overlooked for India’s squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which has put extra focus on his next assignment in the format, and that is IPL 2026, where he will lead Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

Uthappa believes that the upcoming IPL 2026 season could define Pant’s future in the shortest format, as he still has not shown his true batting power since returning from his horrific accident. The 2007 T20 World Cup winner feels that batting at the top, either as an opener or at number three, would allow the left-handed batter to play freely and dominate bowlers early.

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Uthappa pushes Pant to open for LSG after forgettable IPL 2025

He insisted that the powerplay, with its fielding restrictions, suits Pant’s attacking style and natural stroke play. The former Indian batter urged Pant to open or bat at number three for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), saying he will be unstoppable once he is set in the powerplay.

Robin Uthappa said on his YouTube channel, “He must open. He will have the field open, and once he is set, no one can stop him. Why do you want to put yourself in a tough position? Maximize your potential. Once he is set, the field will not matter to him. Nothing will matter. He will smash it.”

Uthappa opens up about his frustration with Pant

Uthappa also shared how he was frustrated with Pant in IPL 2025. Despite being the captain, Pant mostly batted at number five, and the 2025 season turned into a forgettable one for him. After being bought for a record-breaking INR 27 crore by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the IPL 2025 mega auction, Pant managed only 269 runs in 14 matches.

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He scored just one hundred and fifty for the LSG. Well, Uthappa pointed out that Pant has already shown what he can do when promoted up the order, highlighting his unbeaten 118 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) while batting at No. 3, so he must open for LSG in the upcoming IPL 2026.

“Bro, please open” – Robin Uthappa

Uthappa signed off by saying, “I am very patient personally with Pant. I believe that if he opens or plays at three, we will see the best of him soon. I was very happy when he was playing at three in the 2024 T20 World Cup. He is such a batter who should get more balls in T20 cricket. He should be given the freedom of the power play. I was so frustrated that he was the captain of LSG and batting at five. If this reaches him, bro, please open it; you will shake Indian T20 cricket.”