Former India player Aakash Chopra has said that Rishabh Pant is unlikely to open for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2025. He added that his numbers in the IPL are almost as good as AB de Villiers’ at Nos. 4 and 5 as well. However, LSG bought Pant for a record ₹27 crore at the IPL 2025 auction last November and announced him as their captain as well.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “Someone asked this question to Pant and I was listening to him. He said that it’s not important what is right for him, and it’s more important what is right for his team. He said that he has batted in the middle order throughout his life and wants to remain in the middle order for the time being. His numbers are very good at No. 4 and No. 5. I dug out his IPL numbers. He is standing next to AB de Villiers at No. 4 and No. 5. It’s a big sample size as the IPL has been played for many years. So he finds himself more comfortable there.”

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Meanwhile, Aakash Chopra also stated that it was easier to open than to bat in the middle order in T20s.

“Honestly speaking, it’s easy to bat at the top of the order. There is a powerplay of six overs and it’s easy to hit there because only two fielders are outside. So it’s an easier job, but batting in the middle is a difficult job because he also has to finish. So I would say if you have the ability and are comfortable batting at No. 4, and you also get a left-hander in the middle, I think that is the place you should be. He can decide between No. 3 and No. 4. I feel he might not open for Lucknow. Three left-handers will come one after the other – Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant and David Miller – and all three have great hitting ability,” Aakash Chopra concluded.