IPL 2026: Suspense continues on Rishabh Pant’s batting order, Lucknow coach Langer gives open challenge to Delhi Capitals

News India Live, Digital Desk: Just before their first match of IPL 2026, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) head coach Justin Langer has played a big bet. Before the match against his former team Delhi Capitals (DC), when the coach was asked about the batting order of captain Rishabh Pant, he replied in a very interesting manner. Langer clearly said that he does not want to give Delhi Capitals a chance to prepare by revealing his strategy. “I am not going to tell you…” – Justin Langer In the pre-match press conference, when reporters asked about the possibility of Pant batting at number 3 or number 4, Langer said with a smile, “The truth is that I will not sit here and tell you where Rishabh Pant will bat tomorrow. If I tell you now, then Delhi Capitals will prepare a strategy for that tonight itself, you all will have to wait till 7:30 pm. This ‘mind game’ of Langer has become a topic of discussion on social media. Number 3 or 4? Why is there so much suspense? There is more discussion about Rishabh Pant’s batting order because the 2025 season was a mixed one for him. Last season, he was played at different numbers, but he impressed the most when he scored a brilliant century while batting at number 3 against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). If reports are to be believed, this time he may be given a permanent chance at number-3, which will strengthen the middle order to players like Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram. Pressure and return of ‘price tag’ of Rs 27 crores Let us tell you that Rishabh Pant is the most expensive player in the history of IPL (Rs 27 crores). Lucknow Super Giants have made him a part of their team with great expectations. Langer defended Pant, saying that last year he was trying to prove himself in a new franchise, but this time he looks more relaxed, happy and aggressive than ever before. According to Langer, when Pant plays while laughing and having fun, he becomes the most dangerous batsman in the world. Today i.e. on 1st April, there will be a fierce clash between Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. On one side there is Lucknow led by Rishabh Pant, and on the other side there is Delhi under the captaincy of Akshar Patel. Both the teams could not make it to the top-4 last season, so they would like to make a great start by winning the first match of the season.