Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant, second from right, with teammates during training. (PTI Photo) LUCKNOW: As Lucknow Super Giants prepare to face Delhi Capitals here on Wednesday, the story is writing itself. The stage is set, the lights are brighter than ever and all eyes turn to one man – Rishabh Pant. A leader, a match-winner and a player who thrives under pressure, Pant is at the heart of this high-voltage clash.The LSG captain will face his previous team and will be looking forward to winning the opening leg on their home turf. In head-to-head matches, DC leads 4-3 since their first meeting in 2022.
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Rohit Sharma unleashed: MI coach explains tactical challenges after explosive knock Under the lights on Tuesday, Pant had a busy eve of the match – checking the condition of the pitch, practicing shadows and then having a long mid-pitch chat with Mitchell Marsh.Pant sweated it out in the training camp for a fortnight before this current season. After modest returns last season – where he managed just 269 runs – Pant understands the responsibility to show up. When asked what position Pant will be batting, LSG head coach Justin Langer did not want to divulge. “I won’t give it away. There’s a lot of talent out there and it can be a bit of a struggle to pick who to pick or not,” he said. Apart from Langer, the LSG team has a number of thinking heads to lead them, with Global Director Tom Moody, Strategic Cricket Advisor Kane Williamson and Bowling Coach Bharat Arun forming a formidable line-up. Overseas players Adien Markram, Mitch Marsh and Nicholas Pooran will once again be responsible for the top order, while the middle order carries a very Indian face.Led by the experienced Mohammed Shami, LSG’s pace battery looks primed for a long season ahead. Shami will be assisted by Anrich Nortje, Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan Mohsin Khan, Naman Tiwari and Akash Singh. Digvesh Rathi, M Siddhartha and Wanindu Hasaranga form part of the spin department.
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Ekana’s ground staff has prepared a red square ground which is expected to provide a good bounce for the pacers.5 – LSG have lost five of their last six IPL games played between 22 April 2025 and 27 May 2025.
Statistics: Rajesh Kumar
