Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis believes Rishabh Pant should bat at No. 3 to maximise his impact in the upcoming Indian Premier League season, while also urging him to bring more consistency to his high-risk batting approach.

Pant experimented with multiple batting positions last season, moving between No. 4, opening, and lower down the order during a disappointing campaign. However, his best performance came at No. 3, where he smashed an unbeaten 118 off 61 balls for Lucknow Super Giants in their final league match.

Du Plessis, speaking on IPL Today Live, said No. 3 appears to be Pant’s most effective position. He suggested that Pant should occupy that slot this season, with Nicholas Pooran likely to move down to No. 4. He also pointed to LSG’s top-heavy batting lineup featuring Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh and Pooran alongside Pant.

Pant heads into the new season under pressure after being bought for a record ?27 crore ahead of IPL 2025. His first stint as LSG captain was underwhelming, with the team finishing seventh. Individually, he had an inconsistent season, scoring 269 runs in 13 innings at an average of 24.45 and a strike rate just over 133.

Du Plessis described Pant as more of a “highlight player” and said he needs to evolve into a high-impact performer with consistent numbers. He stressed the importance of having a clear game plan, noting that while Pant has immense talent, his approach often appears overly aggressive.

Highlighting the contrast between Pant’s potential and T20 returns, du Plessis said the wicketkeeper-batter sometimes seems to have too many options in his mind, attempting high-risk shots too frequently. He pointed out that top T20 batters operate with a defined method, understanding their scoring areas and limitations.

Du Plessis also expressed surprise at Pant’s relatively modest T20 strike rate despite his wide range of shots, suggesting that expectations built from his Test performances may not always translate into T20 cricket.

He advised Pant to temper his attacking instincts and play according to the merit of the ball, rather than premeditating every shot. According to him, achieving consistency—performing well in 60 to 70 percent of matches—requires reducing unnecessary risks.

While acknowledging Pant’s ability to score all around the ground, du Plessis emphasised that the key lies in his approach during the initial deliveries he faces, which often sets the tone for his innings.

The IPL 2026 season will begin with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru, while LSG will open their campaign against Delhi Capitals on April 1.