Delhi Capitals head coach Sourav Ganguly is looking to help Rishabh Pant revive his IPL career after two difficult seasons with Lucknow Super Giants. Pant’s return to Delhi Capitals gives him an opportunity to work again with the franchise where he established himself as one of the most destructive wicketkeeper-batters in the competition.
Sourav Ganguly, who was recently appointed Delhi Capitals head coach for IPL 2027, believes Pant can rediscover his best form if he is given a clear role in the middle order.
Rishabh Pant performed poorly for LSG, but shone for DC in IPL
Pant’s two-year stint with Lucknow Super Giants did not produce the impact expected from one of the IPL’s most expensive players. He scored 269 runs in 13 innings during IPL 2025 at an average of 24.45 and a strike rate of 133.16, with one unbeaten century.
His numbers remained underwhelming in IPL 2026. Pant managed 312 runs in 13 innings at an average of 28.36 and a strike rate of 138.05, with his highest score being 68 not out. Across his two seasons with LSG, he accumulated 581 runs in 26 innings, with an average of 26.41.
That record is significantly below what Pant produced during his long association with Delhi Capitals. He scored 446 runs in 13 innings for DC in IPL 2024 at an average of 40.54 and a strike rate of 155.40 after returning from his long injury layoff.
Pant remains DC’s leading run-scorer in T20 cricket, having accumulated 3,284 runs in 110 innings at an average of 35.31 and a strike rate of 148.93. His record for the franchise includes 18 fifties and a century.
We needed a middle-order batter and Rishabh Pant fits it perfectly – Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly believes Pant’s return gives Delhi Capitals exactly the type of batter they need in their middle order. Rather than placing additional pressure on him, the new head coach wants to give Pant a defined role and allow him enough opportunities to settle into it.
“We needed a middle-order batter and Pant fits it perfectly. He was with us and he played well for us. Next year, when he turns up again, I think he’ll use the time and space and the matches to become a better player,” Ganguly said in a video posted by Delhi Capitals on their official YouTube channel.
Sourav Ganguly also believes Pant’s familiarity with Delhi and the Arun Jaitley Stadium could work in his favour. The wicketkeeper-batter has enjoyed several productive seasons with the franchise and knows the conditions better than most players in the squad.
“You know he enjoys batting at the Feroz Shah Kotla (Arun Jaitley Stadium) in Delhi and hopefully we’ll see the best of Pant in the years to come for the Delhi shirt,” Ganguly added.
It’s a pretty strong team and I hope we play to our potential – Sourav Ganguly on Delhi Capitals
Sourav Ganguly’s approach will not be limited to finding the right position for Pant. Taking charge of an IPL team requires managing different personalities and ensuring every player understands their role. The former India captain believes communication will be central to his coaching philosophy.
“It’s not the same as a player. It’s a bit different, you need to understand things, you need to be relaxed. You still need to find a way to get the best out of players and work with the players because players are different,” Ganguly said.
“It’s not you batting or you bowling anymore. It’s about somebody else batting or bowling or winning cricket matches. So it’s important that you sync with them and understand what they want and how they can get better.”
Sourav Ganguly also spoke positively about the strength of the Delhi Capitals squad, which includes several established international players. He believes the team’s challenge will be to translate that individual quality into consistent performances throughout the season.
“It’s a good team with KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Rishabh Pant, Mitchell Starc, Lungi Ngidi, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, it’s a pretty strong team and I hope we play to our potential and I hope everyone understands how good they are and goes and expresses themselves. Motivation is to take Delhi to the top,” Ganguly said.
Source: cricketaddictor.com
