File Image: Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul (Image Credit: IPL) Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant enters the crucial IPL season with little room for error as his side take on Delhi Capitals at home on Wednesday. After a disappointing first year as captain – where both his leadership and batting faltered, compounded by injuries to key pacers – Pant now has a stronger, fully fit squad at his disposal.The bowling unit has been boosted by the arrivals of Mohammed Shami and Anrich Nortje, while the return of Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan adds depth. The batting looks more balanced, with Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram forming a formidable opening pair. Pant is expected to move up the order with Nicholas Pooran likely to slot in at number four.
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Greenstone Lobo predicts IPL 2026 winner Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, will be looking to build on a promising but inconsistent previous season. KL Rahul is set to open even as his partner between Prithvi Shaw, Abhishek Porel and Pathum Nissanka remains undecided. The addition of David Miller bolsters a middle order that includes Tristan Stubbs.Despite missing Mitchell Starc for the opener, Delhi boast a strong bowling attack led by Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, with Lungi Ngidi and T Natarajan adding variety. Here are five players to watch today:Rishabh Pant (LSG)After representing DC for eight seasons, Rishabh Pant joined LSG last year as captain but endured a mixed campaign. He scored 269 runs in 13 innings, including a century, but at a moderate pace of 133.16. Pant will be looking to turn this season into a breakout season, both as a leader and as the first mover in the LSG setup. He amassed a total of 3,553 runs from 125 matches, including two hundreds and 19 fifties, with an impressive strike rate of 147.61.Mohammed Shami (LSG)Indian veteran Mohammed Shami will represent his sixth IPL series when he dons the LSG jersey against DC. Shami has been out of the national team for over a year and has been repeatedly overlooked despite strong domestic performances proving his fitness. After a disappointing last season, he will be eager to bounce back with his new team and bolster LSG’s attack. The veteran batsman has taken 133 wickets in 119 IPL matches.KL Rahul (DC)DC opener KL Rahul will be looking to build on his excellent form from last season. After moving from LSG to DC in 2025, Rahul scored 539 runs in 13 innings at an average of 53.90 and a strike of 149.72, including a century and three fifties. He’ll aim for another 500-plus season, which would make it three in a row, also hitting 520 in 2024. One of the league’s most prolific batsmen, Rahul amassed 5222 runs in 145 matches at an average of over 46 and a strike rate of 136.02, including five hundreds and 40 fifties.
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Will Rishabh Pant have a breakout season in IPL 2023?
Mayank Yadav (LSG)Young pace sensation Mayank Yadav is coming back from yet another injury lay-off and will be keen to deliver a full season for LSG who have shown immense faith in him. He has played just six matches in two seasons since his debut in IPL 2024, but has impressed with his ability to hit over 150 kmph consistently. Fitness remains his biggest challenge but if he stays fit he could be a major threat to the opposition batsmen.Tristan Stubbs (DC)Promising batsman Tristan Stubbs made a strong impression in IPL 2024 for DC, scoring 378 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 190.90. He followed that up with a decent 300-run season at 150.75 last year, albeit with slightly less impact. Stubbs will now look to make a bigger contribution with the aim of turning his consistent 300-run returns into a 500-plus season.
