IPL 2026: ‘He is too good to bat down the order’ – Kevin Pietersen urges Rishabh Pant to lead from the top

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has urged Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant to step up and take greater responsibility in the Indian Premier League 2026 season following some questionable decisions in the previous edition. Pant, who was retained for a record price during the off-season, continues to lead the franchise in what promises to be a crucial campaign.

Pietersen recalled an instance at the Ekana Cricket Stadium where Pant demoted himself to No. 7 and walked in to bat with just two balls remaining, only to be dismissed for a duck against his former team. He emphasised that Pant should avoid such decisions this season, take ownership, and face challenges head-on instead of shielding 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 own the responsibility, and listening to him talk, I feel more like this is the guy who is going to be a better leader, understands his team a little bit more, and he will show that responsibility this season by batting up the order,” Pietersen said on Jio Hotstar.

“He is too good a player to hang around at No.5,6, or 7, in T20 cricket. Rishabh Pant needs to be there at the top of the order, and he needs to own the popping crease. I don’t know what number he batted against us (DC) lat year here, but he just kept dropping 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, is is not about money,” he added.

The left-handed batter endured multiple injuries following the IPL 2025 season and was last seen in action during the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy representing Delhi. Despite the setbacks, Pant boasts an impressive record in the IPL, having scored 3553 runs in 126 matches at an average of 34.16.