The surrounding controversy Rishabh pantsIndia’s place in the T20I set-up has been boosted after the former England captain Michael Vaughan shared his honest thoughts. Vaughan believes that Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) the captain faces an uphill battle to regain his place in the national side, especially as India boast of a plethora of in-form wicketkeeping options.
Michael Vaughan highlights the fierce competition in India’s T20 setup
Vaughan pointed out that India’s current T20I squad is stacked with quality wicketkeeper-batsmen, making it increasingly difficult for Pant to return to the playing XI without exceptional performances. Players like it Sanju SamsonIshan Kishi and Jitesh Sharma all created strong situations with consistent screens and aggressive hitting styles.
According to Vaughan, this depth creates a highly competitive environment where only outstanding performers can secure a spot. He emphasized that Pant can no longer rely on his reputation and past performances alone to regain his position.
“If he’s going to open, he can be a bit bolder. He can be a bit bolder. India have a lot of wickets with Samson, Kishan and Jitesh Sharma. So it won’t be easy for him to get back into India’s T20I side. The biggest milestone now is that he has the IPL hum,” Vaughan said on Cricbuzz.
Rishabh Pant’s disappointing start in IPL 2026
Pant’s IPL 2026 campaign started on a shaky note as he encouraged himself to open the batting against LSG. Capitals of Delhi. The move raised eyebrows, but the outcome failed to silence critics.
The left-hander struggled to find fluency during his brief stay at the crease, managing just seven runs off nine deliveries and ending up at the non-striker’s end. His original approach stood in contrast to the fearless batting game that once defined T20 batting.
For a player looking to recover in the shortest format, such performances only add to the pressure.
Also WATCH: LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka engages in animated discussion with Rishabh Pant after IPL 2026 loss to DC
Vaughan on how Pant can return to the national team
Vaughan emphasized that if Pant is going to open the batting, he needs to adopt a more aggressive mindset. He believes the wicketkeeper-batsman’s natural game is built on instinctive batting and gutsy batting – qualities that need to be on full display, especially in the IPL.
He suggested that Pant should take inspiration from players who play with freedom and intent rather than overthinking their role. According to Vaughan, the best version of Pant is the one who plays fearlessly, taking the attack to the opposition from the start. The former England captain also hinted that adapting to a conservative approach could dampen Pant’s effectiveness, especially in a format that rewards high-impact performances.
“If I were him, I would look at Suryavanshi. Because when Rishabh plays, he reminds me of a free-spirited character who tries to chase the ball out of the ground. That’s how he should play.” Vaughan added.
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