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Pant Seeks Yuvraj's Help to Revive Career, Says Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra has expressed encouragement that Rishabh Pant has acknowledged the need to change his game ahead of IPL 2026. The former cricketer highlighted Pant's unique perspective on the game but noted his recent struggles in white-ball cricket. Chopra stated the intense scrutiny on Pant is justified due to his high-risk approach, which has seen him fall out of national team contention. Pant, the most expensive IPL buy ever, will lead the Lucknow Super Giants this season after seeking help from Yuvraj Singh.

Key Points: Rishabh Pant Seeks Yuvraj Singh's Help Ahead of IPL 2026

  • Pant seeks Yuvraj Singh's guidance
  • Chopra praises Pant's self-awareness
  • Scrutiny justified due to risky shots
  • Out of India's T20 plans
  • LSG's record Rs 27 Cr captain
3 min read

"Pant's acceptance that he needs to change something in his game is heartening": Aakash Chopra ahead of IPL 2026

Aakash Chopra says Rishabh Pant's acceptance of needing to change his game is a positive sign as he prepares to lead LSG in IPL 2026.

"The most heartening thing for me is his acceptance that he needs to change something in his game. - Aakash Chopra"

New Delhi, March 25

Lucknow Super Giants Captain Rishabh Pant heads into Indian Premier League 2026 with plenty of expectation, both as a batter and as a leader and the former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra said he is happy that Pant has accepted that he needs to change something in his game ahead of the 19th season.

Speaking on JioStar, the cricketer-turned-broadcaster highlighted how Rishabh Pant sees the game differently.

"We sometimes fail to understand what Rishabh Pant brings to the table and how he sees the game unfold. In Test cricket, he had conversations with Rahul Dravid when he was the Head Coach. Rahul bhai was not very happy with Pant's batting approach. To give credit where it's due, Pant sees the game very differently from most of us who see it conventionally," he said.

"But the most heartening thing for me is his acceptance that he needs to change something in his game. He needs to look for a blueprint. Something is not going right. He knows he is that good. The fact that he has approached Yuvraj Singh for help shows he acknowledges that he needs guidance, help and assistance. That is a great sign. With the quality, talent and skills he has, it is a travesty that he is not killing it in white-ball cricket," Chopra said.

Pant was seen practising with the former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh ahead of the new IPL season. He is the most expensive buy (Rs 27 Crore) by any franchise in IPL history, being bought by the Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the IPL 2025, and he will also lead LSG this year.

On the scrutiny Pant faces, Chopra said, "The scrutiny around Rishabh Pant is justified. He is a prisoner of his own reputation for playing unorthodox shots and rarely looks to grind out runs when the situation demands it. Last season, despite opportunities to take time and rebuild his form, he continued to play risky shots, which drew criticism."

"Having been part of India's T20 World Cup-winning squad in Barbados, he is now completely out of the conversation for the national side. The selectors and management went from selecting a middle-order keeper to an opener keeper and a keeper who can bat at three. While the IPL is massive, representing India remains the ultimate priority, and losing that spot means it's time for him to go back to the drawing board," Chopra concluded.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan living in India, I find the scrutiny on Pant a bit harsh sometimes. He's a match-winner on his day. But Chopra makes a fair point about adapting his game. The IPL is his stage to prove himself again.
R
Rohit P
27 crore is a huge amount of pressure! LSG fans are expecting fireworks. If he can blend his natural aggression with some situational awareness, he'll be unstoppable. All the best, Pant! 💥
P
Priya S
Respectfully, I disagree with part of this. The "prisoner of his own reputation" line feels unfair. He won us the Gabba Test! The problem might be the constant chopping and changing of his role in the Indian team, not just his approach.
A
Aman W
Going to Yuvi for help is a masterstroke. Who better to learn finishing games from? This shows maturity. Hope he has a blinder of a season and forces his way back into the Indian jersey. 🇮🇳
K
Karthik V
The real test is captaincy now. Leading LSG will demand a different mindset. Maybe that responsibility will naturally bring the calculated aggression he needs. Excited to see how this chapter unfolds.

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