IPL 2026: Former South Africa captain Faf Du Plessis has advised Rishabh Pant to become a more high-impact and consistent T20 player before the upcoming IPL season. While Pant excels in Tests for India, he has yet to replicate that in white-ball cricket. His last appearances for India in T20Is and ODIs were in 2024, after which he was left out of both squads.
In the IPL, Pant has scored 3553 runs in 125 matches at an average of 34.16 and a strike rate of 147.61. However, in IPL 2025, he scored 269 runs in 14 matches, including a century in the final group match, with a lower average of 24.45 and a strike rate of 133.
Speaking about JioStar, Du Plessis emphasized that Pant needs a specific T20 game plan to demonstrate his value consistently. He described Pant as a highlight-reel player who must adapt to become more consistently effective.
“Rishabh Pant’s stroke play seems all over the place, but there’s a method and game plan behind it. He has a clear approach for Tests—he needs the same for T20s. He must define his T20 strategy to maximize consistency, aiming for a 60 to 70 percent impact, not just flashy moments," said Du Plessis to JioStar.
"You can’t premeditate every ball; that's too risky. Hitting sixes is not enough. When teams bowl wide, Pant can adjust and hit through the offside. He isn't one-dimensional—he can score around the ground. His first six balls are crucial. He is a highlight player, but I want him to become a high-impact player in his numbers," he said.
Pant's strike rate in T20s—around 130—raises questions about a player's attacking ability.
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Du Plessis noted Pant appears to consider many options at the crease, urging him to develop a defined method for his T20 batting. He observed that Pant is under pressure to match his Test performances in the shortest format.
"Rishabh Pant’s talent is tremendous. In Tests, he has all the shots. In T20s, it feels like he has too many options and believes he can hit a six off every ball. But T20 batting requires a method and a game plan. Top players know where to find boundaries and handle weaknesses accordingly," he added.
"Pant always seems on the edge. Watching him, it feels like he could get out any time because his approach is almost frantic. His surprising T20 strike rate, around 130, seems low for someone with his range of shots. Maybe it’s because we expect his Test aggression to translate to T20s,” Du Plessis concluded.
For the upcoming IPL season, Pant will bat at No.3 for LSG.