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Justin Langer Backs Rishabh Pant for IPL 2026 Comeback: 'Champions Don't Stay Down'

Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer has expressed strong confidence in skipper Rishabh Pant's ability to rebound in the upcoming IPL season. Langer highlighted Pant's current training form and champion mentality, noting his brilliant final innings in the previous IPL. Pant is recovering from a side strain that sidelined him and is coming off a challenging 2025 season with below-par returns. Despite recent struggles, he remains one of the IPL's most dynamic wicketkeeper-batters with a formidable career record.

Key Points: Langer: Pant to Shine in IPL 2026 After Tough Phase

  • Langer's strong backing for Pant
  • Pant training with Yuvraj Singh
  • Recovery from injury and poor IPL 2025
  • High expectations as LSG skipper
  • Most expensive IPL player at Rs 27 crore
2 min read

'Champions don't stay down for long': Langer backs Rishabh Pant to shine in IPL 2026

LSG coach Justin Langer expects Rishabh Pant to bounce back strongly in IPL 2026, citing his champion mentality and recent training with Yuvraj Singh.

"He's firing, and as I said, with all champions, they don't stay down for long. - Justin Langer"

New Delhi, March 14

Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer believes that skipper Rishabh Pant will bounce back strongly in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League 2026, which will commence on March 28, saying champions like Pant do not remain down for long.

Pant, who is expected to play a key role for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) this season, has been working hard in training after a challenging phase. He was recently seen practising under the guidance of India's champion player, Yuvraj Singh, in a short camp in Mumbai.

Langer revealed that the 26-year-old is already showing promising signs ahead of the new season, and the team have great expectations for their leader.

"He'll be ready to go. He's training at the moment. We've got a camp going on at the moment, so I'll see him in a couple of days. He's firing, and as I said, with all champions, they don't stay down for long. His last game last year in the IPL, we saw how brilliant he can be, so that's our expectation for him this year," Langer told ESPNCricinfo.

Pant, who is the most expensive IPL player via a Rs 27 crore deal, has not played competitive cricket since suffering a side strain while batting on the eve of India's ODI series against New Zealand in Vadodara in January.

Pant endured a poor run in IPL 2025, scoring 269 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 133.16, his lowest returns since debuting in the competition in 2016. Despite hitting an unbeaten 118 in LSG's final league game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, it didn't help the side's cause as they finished seventh in the points table.

Despite poor form, Pant remains one of the most dynamic wicketkeeper-batters in the IPL and has built a reputation for his fearless approach with the bat. Pant has been a consistent performer in the tournament, amassing more than 3,200 runs in over 110 matches at a strike rate above 145, which includes two centuries and 19 fifties.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan living in India, I've seen Pant's highs and lows. The pressure of being the most expensive player is immense. Hope he plays freely and doesn't let the price tag weigh him down.
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Vikram M
Training with Yuvi paaji is the best thing for him! That man knows a thing or two about comebacks. Pant's fearless batting is what we need in T20 cricket. LSG's fortunes depend heavily on him.
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Rohit P
Respectfully, I have to disagree a bit with the 'champion' tag being thrown around so easily. Last season's stats were poor for a player of his caliber and salary. He needs to deliver now, not just promise. The team finished 7th!
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Priya S
His strike rate is still among the best in IPL history. One bad season doesn't define a player. Indian fans have short memories. Remember Gabba? Remember the England series? He'll be back with a bang! 💥
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Michael C
Interesting to see an Australian coach backing an Indian star so strongly. Langer's confidence in him must be a huge boost. The Pant-Langer combo could be what LSG needs to finally lift the trophy.

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