Lucknow Super Giants coach Justin Langer backed Rishabh Pant for a stronger IPL 2026 after IPL 2025 struggles. Langer praised Pant’s lighter, confident approach, saying, “If we see Rishabh laughing, smiling and having fun, he’ll be a brilliant captain.” He also highlighted key additions, mentoring from Mohammed Shami, and pre-season preparations under Tom Moody and Bharat Arun.

Lucknow: Rishabh Pant becomes unmatched as a cricketer when he plays with a smile on his face says, Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer, backing the Indian wicketkeeper-batter to have a better year at the helm of the franchise in IPL 2026.

Pant became the costliest player in IPL history when he was bought by LSG for a whopping price of Rs 27 crore last year. But there wasn’t much to cheer for Pant and LSG in IPL 2025 as they finished at seventh position on the points table.

Langer said while Pant was “trying hard to impress” last year, the stint also helped the franchise and their coaching staff understand more about him.

“If we see Rishabh laughing, smiling and having fun, he’ll be a brilliant captain, and that’s what we learned last year. He (had) joined a new franchise, trying hard to impress, which is natural,” Langer told JioHotstar.