As IPL 2026 approaches, Rishabh Pant finds himself at a crucial juncture in his white-ball career. While his reputation in Test cricket remains rock solid, the same consistency has eluded him in the T20 format. Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis believes Pant must evolve into a more “high-impact” player if he is to rediscover rhythm and reclaim his place in India’s limited-overs setup.

Pant’s IPL numbers, on paper, are respectable. He has scored over 3500 runs in 125 matches at an average above 34 and a strike rate close to 148. However, recent performances have raised concerns. In the 2025 season, despite scoring 269 runs and even registering a century, his average dipped to 24.45, with a strike rate hovering just above 133—figures that reflect inconsistency rather than dominance.

 Faf du Plessis offered a detailed breakdown of Pant’s approach, pointing out the need for a clearer blueprint in T20 cricket. “Rishabh Pant’s stroke play looks all over the place at times, but there is a method in his head. He has a blueprint in Test cricket, and he needs something similar in T20s,” he explained. According to him, Pant must aim for sustained output rather than sporadic brilliance.

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He further added, “He shouldn’t be a one-in-ten kind of player. He needs to operate in that 60–70 percent consistency range.” The message is clear—reduce risk, increase reliability. While Pant’s fearless approach can produce match-winning knocks, it also leads to frequent dismissals when things don’t come off.

Du Plessis also highlighted a tactical flaw in Pant’s current game. “You can’t premeditate every ball. That’s too high risk,” he said. He emphasized that Pant has the ability to counter bowlers targeting his weaknesses, especially with wide deliveries, but needs to trust his range and adapt accordingly.

Another key concern is Pant’s mindset. “He has too many options in his head,” Faf du Plessis observed. The abundance of strokeplay, while a strength, can also become a burden if not channelled properly. Unlike established T20 greats who operate within defined scoring zones, Pant often appears unpredictable—even to himself.

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“There’s always a feeling he could get out at any moment,” Faf du Plessis added, underlining the fine line Pant walks with his aggressive style. His relatively modest strike rate, despite possessing a wide array of shots, remains a puzzling statistic.

Heading into IPL 2026 with Lucknow Super Giants, Pant is expected to bat at No.3—a role that demands both aggression and responsibility. The coming season could well define whether he transitions from a highlight player to a consistent match-winner in T20 cricket.