Rishabh Pant to be KL Rahul’s “perfect opening replacement” for LSG, after Sanjiv Goenka’s blunder?

Remember that Indian U-19 team from 2016, that had finished runners-up..it had the likes of Ishan Kishan, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar and Avesh Khan. That tournament saw Rishabh Pant open the innings for India and pile on misery with his partner and skipper Ishan. The India keeper slammed 267 runs in 6 matches at an average of 44.50, and a strike rate of over 104.

Rishabh Pant as Opener for LSG in IPL 2025?

But why are we talking about that tournament now? Well, at the recent IPL Auction 2025, Rishabh Pant was sold to LSG for a massive INR 27 Cr, and that presents a chance to him to, perhaps, consider opening the batting for his team. Although LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka and the management went on to compile a decent group of players at the IPL Auction, but somehow didn’t get a proper opening batter. In fact, KL Rahul was released, and that is one blunder that would haunt the owner for sure, especially after they are not left with opening options.

With that slot lying vacant, this is a massive opportunity for Rishabh to show how devastating he can be at the top of the order. The southpaw has opened the innings 5 times for India in T20Is and hasn’t had much success — has scored only 71 runs in five matches — but that could be due to his uncertainty at the top.

Sanjiv Goenka Didn’t Retain KL Rahul

An extended rope here — with Mitchell Marsh, or Aiden Markram, or even Nicholas Pooran, could mean exciting times for LSG. Team’s another option at the top with Rishabh could be all-rounder Arshin Kulkarni. The Maharashtra player is known for his hitting prowess, and has a strike rate of 149 in the 11 matches he has played.

Ayush Badoni could be an option as well, but then with the players LSG have gotten at the IPL Auction, plus the team combination — he suits only at No. 5 or No. 6. Even though the decision to open, or not to, will rest in Rishabh Pant’s hands, but it could be one brave decision that could majorly benefit the team.

LSG Squad for IPL 2025

Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant (Rs. 27 crore), David Miller (Rs. 7.5 crore), Aiden Markram (Rs. 2 crore), Mitchell Marsh (Rs. 3.40 crore), Avesh Khan (Rs. 9.75 crore), Abdul Samad (Rs. 4.20 crore), Aryan Juyal (Rs. 30 lakh), Akash Deep (Rs. 8 crore), Himmat Singh (Rs. 30 lakh), M. Siddharth (Rs. 75 lakh), Digvesh Singh (Rs. 30 lakh), Shahbaz Ahmed (Rs. 2.40 crore), Akash Singh (Rs. 30 lakh), Shamar Joseph (Rs. 75 lakh), Prince Yadav (Rs. 30 lakh), Yuvraj Chaudhary (Rs. 30 lakh), Rajvardhan Hangargekar (Rs. 30 lakh), Arshin Kulkarni (Rs. 30 lakh), Matthew Breetzke (Rs. 75 lakh).