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Rishabh Pant, captain of Lucknow Super Giants, has clarified that the decision to promote Ayush Badoni as an opener was a planned tactical move rather than a last-minute experiment during their IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings.

Pant explained that the strategy had been discussed well in advance, with the intention of giving the top order more freedom to play their natural game. “The idea was to go out there and play freely. It wasn’t a decision taken today — it was pre-decided that he would open,” he said.

The move yielded encouraging results early on, as Badoni delivered a brisk 35 off just 21 balls, smashing five boundaries and a six at an impressive strike rate. His aggressive start reflected the team’s intent, even though LSG couldn’t turn it into a victory.

Pant noted that the larger plan was to strike a balance between aggressive top-order batting and steady contributions from the middle order. “We wanted the top order to play with freedom while the middle order chips in,” he added.

Looking back at the loss, Pant admitted there were both positives and areas that need improvement. He said the team showed glimpses of executing their batting plans but fell short of consistency.

The LSG skipper also credited Punjab Kings for their strong performance, acknowledging the quality of their cricket on the day. Despite the defeat, Pant remained confident in his squad’s potential, expressing belief that the team will bounce back while maintaining a positive approach going forward.
Edited by : Mary Rose Baba