Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant has been urged to step up and take bigger responsibility in the Indian Premier League 2026 season after some questionable decisions in the previous edition. Pant, who was retained at a record price during the off-season, continues to lead the franchise in what promises to be a momentous campaign.
Pietersen recalled an instance at the Ekana Cricket Stadium where Pant dropped himself to No. 7 and came in to bat with only two balls remaining, but was out for a duck against his former team. He stressed that Pant should avoid such decisions this season, take ownership and face challenges head on instead of protecting himself from pressure situations.
“Against us, last year, I think he was batting at No. 6 or No. 7, that's not the place for Rishabh, I think he just needs to take responsibility, and listening to him, I feel like this is a guy who is going to be a better leader, understand his team a little bit more, and he will show that responsibility by batting higher up the order this season,” Pietersen said on Jio Hotstar.
He said, “He is too good a player to be at No. 5,6 or 7 in T20 cricket. Rishabh Pant needs to be at the top of the order, and he needs to occupy the popping crease. I don't know what number he batted against us (DC) last year, but he kept pushing himself down the order. That's no way to lead a team. Take some responsibility, control the game and go out there and win it, it's not worth the money. It's not about.”
The left-handed batsman suffered several injuries after the IPL 2025 season and was last seen representing Delhi during the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy. Despite the setbacks, Pant has compiled an impressive record in the IPL, scoring 3553 runs in 126 matches at an average of 34.16.
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