Strong Rishabh Pant has my respect: Justin Langer backs struggling LSG skipper
Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant is enduring a forgettable season in the Indian Premier League. With just 151 runs at a strike rate of 107.09 from 13 matches, it marks Pant's worst-ever performance in the tournament's history. However, despite the numbers, LSG head coach Justin Langer has praised Pant's character and leadership within the team.Speaking to the broadcaster during the game between Lucknow and Gujarat Titans, Langer commended Pant for the resilience he has shown during difficult times. He reminded viewers of the serious accident Pant survived in December 2023 and the intense effort it took for him to return to international cricket.advertisement"You always judge a person's character by how they go through tough times. And Rishabh's stayed consistent the whole way through. I really respect that. We all know what he's been through over the last couple of years, but he keeps stepping up, he keeps performing, he wants to get out in the middle, and he wants to keep fighting hard for the boys," Langer said during the live broadcast.
"So from that point of view, he's done a really good job. You would not know, and that's a sign of a really strong person," he added.LSG put on a commanding performance against table-toppers Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran combined to take the team to a formidable total of 235, which the bowlers later defended with conviction.advertisementWith LSG already eliminated from the playoffs race, Langer emphasised the importance of finishing the season on a positive note."I mean, there's always something to play for. There are guys who haven't had great seasons who want to showcase their talents, and as a team, we respect that we haven't been at our best the last few games. There's no excuse for that, but we want to show that we've got a very good core. We've got a closely-knit team. There's no doubt about that. So it'd be nice to finish off strongly," Langer said.LSG currently sit on 12 points from 13 games and will play their final match of the season against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. A win would not only close their campaign on a high but also prevent RCB from securing a top-two finish in the points table.Stay updated on IPL 2025 with India Today! Get match schedules, team squads, live score, and the latest IPL points table for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Plus, keep track of the top contenders for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap. Don't miss a moment!
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