Captain of Lucknow Supergiants Rishabh Pant enters a crucial IPL season with little margin for error as his team opens against Delhi Capitals at home on Wednesday. After a disappointing first year as captain – where both his leadership and batting faltered, due to injuries to key fast bowlers – Pant now has a strong, fully fit squad.The bowling unit has been strengthened by the arrival of Muhammad Shami and Enrich Noertje, while the return of Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan adds depth. The batting looks more stable with Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram. Pant is expected to move up the order, with Nicholas Pooran likely to slot in at number four.
Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, will look to build on the promising but inconsistent last season. KL Rahul All set to open, though undecided between his partner Prithvi Shaw, Abhishek Poral and Patham Nissanka. The addition of David Miller strengthens the middle order which includes Tristan Stubbs.Despite the absence of Mitchell Starc for the opener, Delhi boasted a strong bowling attack led by Akshar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, with Lungi Ngidi and T Natarajan adding variety. Here are five players to watch today:Rishabh Pant (LSG)After representing DC for eight seasons, Rishabh Pant joined LSG as captain last year but had a mixed campaign. He scored 269 runs in 13 innings, including a century, but at a paltry strike rate of 133.16. Pant aims to turn it into a breakout season as the leader and frontline batsman in the LSG setup. In total, he has scored 3,553 runs in 125 matches, including two centuries and 19 fifties, with an impressive strike rate of 147.61.Mohammad Shami (LSG)Veteran Indian pacer Mohammad Shami is all set to represent his sixth IPL franchise when he dons the LSG jersey against DC. The Syrian has been out of the national set-up for over a year, and despite strong domestic performances proving his fitness, he has been repeatedly overlooked. After a disappointing last season, he will be eager to bounce back with his new team and strengthen LSG’s attack. A seasoned campaigner, he took 133 wickets in 119 IPL matches.KL Rahul (DC)DC’s opener KL Rahul will be looking to maintain his impressive form from last season. After moving from LSG to DC in 2025, Rahul scored 539 runs in 13 innings at an average of 53.90 and a strike rate of 149.72, including a century and three fifties. He will aim for another 500-plus season, making it three in a row, having also scored 520 in 2024. One of the most successful batsmen in the league, Rahul has scored 5,222 runs in 145 matches at an average above 46 and a strike rate of 136.02, including five centuries and 40 fifties.
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Will Rishabh Pant have a great season in IPL 2023?
Mayank Yadav (LSG)Young pace sensation Mayank Yadav is back from yet another injury layoff and will be looking to give a full season for LSG, who have reposed immense faith in him. Since making his debut in IPL 2024, he has played just six matches in two seasons but has consistently impressed with his ability to hit over 150 kmph. Fitness is his biggest challenge but if he stays fit, he can be a big threat to the opposition batsmen.Tristan Stubbs (DC)Talented batsman Tristan Stubbs made a strong impression in IPL 2024 for DC, scoring 378 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 190.90. He followed it up last year with a good season of 300 runs at a strike rate of 150.75, although his impact was slightly lower. Stubbs will now target a big partnership, aiming to turn his 300-run comeback into a 500-plus season.
