Former India batter Robin Uthappa issued an impassioned appeal to Team India star Rishabh Pant ahead of IPL 2026, urging him to move up the batting order in the upcoming season. Uthappa felt that Pant has not fully utilised his potential since making his return from the accident.
He opined that Pant’s best output in the T20 format would come only if he opens the innings or bats at number three. Uthappa added that granting Pant the freedom to exploit the powerplay could make him virtually unstoppable.
“I am very patient personally with Pant. I still believe that because of that accident, we have not seen the best or maximum of Pant. As I feel, he is getting there and is building himself. And I believe that if he opens or plays at three, we will see the best of him soon. I was very happy when he was playing at three in the 2024 T20 World Cup. He is such a batter who should get more balls in T20 cricket.”
“He should be given the freedom of the powerplay. I was so frustrated that he was the captain of LSG and batting at five. If this reaches to him, bro please open, you will shake Indian T20 cricket. He even scored that hundred at number three last year,” he said on his YouTube channel.
Furthermore, Robin Uthappa elaborated on how Pant could capitalise on the fielding restrictions during the powerplay. However, he questioned Pant’s choice to bat at number five for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2025 and reiterated that the star batter should take up an opening role.
“He must open. He will have the field open, and once he is set, no one can stop him. Why do you want to put yourself in a tough position? Maximise your potential. Once he is set, the field will not matter to him. Nothing will matter. He will smash it,” Robin Uthappa added.
Uthappa Reveals Best Batting Position For Sanju Samson In IPL
Similar to his views on Rishabh Pant, Robin Uthappa believes Sanju Samson should open the batting in the IPL. Currently, Samson has been playing in the middle order for Rajasthan Royals (RR). However, Uthappa stated that, at present, only Samson and Abhishek Sharma among Indian batters have the ability to provide the best starts.
“Even if Samson plays at three in the IPL, I will be very angry. No one can give better starts than him and Abhishek at the moment. I am keeping Rohit and Virat aside. I think the starts and the presence, no one can do it better than Sanju and Abhishek. Maybe he can open with Ayush or whoever, but he also has to open. He brings that intimidation factor. He is also such a player who will not get out if he plays 10-15 balls at the start,” he said.
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