IPL 2025: Pujara Advocates for Pant to Bat Higher, Not as a Finisher

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Pujara believes Pant should bat higher in the order.
- Pant's poor form continues, scoring only 106 runs in 9 innings.
- Former players question the logic behind Pant batting at number seven.
- Pujara highlights the challenges of comparing Pant's Test and T20 performances.
- Concerns raised about Pant's decision-making as captain.
New Delhi, April 23 (NationPress) Veteran Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara asserts that Rishabh Pant should bat higher in the order, emphasizing that the wicketkeeper-batsman is not suited for a finisher's role.
On Tuesday, Pant continued his struggle with form, getting bowled for a two-ball duck by Mukesh Kumar. An additional concern was Pant, who is the most expensive player in the IPL at ₹27 crore, being pushed down to bat at number seven, with Abdul Samad, David Miller, and impact player Ayush Badoni sent ahead of him to add momentum to the LSG innings.
"I genuinely don't understand the reasoning behind this decision. There's no doubt he should be batting higher. He's attempting to emulate MS Dhoni, but he's not at Dhoni's level yet. I believe he should be positioned in the middle overs, ideally between overs six and fifteen. He is not a finisher, and that role is not meant for him," Pujara remarked on ESPNCricinfo.
Former England opener Nick Knight expressed that while he comprehends the logic of having Pant bat at number seven, he finds the on-field presentation unappealing. "I have no issue with Badoni batting at four or five; there's some logic in that since he is in good form and more likely to score runs than Rishabh Pant. This is the crux of the issue," he noted.
"You could argue the same for Samad; he might be more likely to score runs than Pant. The same goes for Miller. When analyzing the decision-making, it might make sense rationally, but visually, it appears problematic. Your captain is stepping back in the batting order when you need him to take charge. He is your leader, and it doesn’t project well when he is sliding down the order. That’s where my concern lies. I agree that Badoni might be more likely to score, but it simply doesn’t seem right," he elaborated.
In IPL 2025, Pant has accumulated only 106 runs across nine innings, averaging 13.25, with a strike rate of 96.36. Pujara further commented that while comparing Pant's successful Test batting to his less impressive T20 performances is challenging, he observed that the wicketkeeper-batsman seems somewhat casual in evaluating other players as the LSG captain in IPL 2025.
"In Test cricket, he has an extra moment when he gets to bat, knowing bowlers are trying to dismiss him, with fielders in the slips. There are often numerous gaps when he bats in Test matches. Even if the field is spread, he still finds many openings in Test format.
"It's an entirely different format. You cannot juxtapose his Test batting with T20. In T20, when he bats at number four or five later on, the ball is somewhat softer. The opposition has a fully set field ready for him. Hence, comparing his Test batting to T20 is challenging.
"Regarding his captaincy, I believe he is somewhat relaxed about assessing players. I’ve noticed even in the Test format that he doesn’t feel the need to research the opposition thoroughly. He relies on his instincts, but this format requires extensive preparation.
"Understanding the opposition's batters, their scoring areas, and the bowlers’ strengths is crucial. I’m uncertain if he engages in this research since he seems hesitant to do so," Pujara concluded.
Pujara added that Pant is also inconsistent with DRS calls. “I’ve had numerous discussions with him during Test matches, and I can tell he often lacks clarity regarding where the ball is headed. As a wicketkeeper, he should have a better understanding, yet he sometimes ends up blaming me for not knowing,” he said.