Cheteshwar Pujara opened up on Rishabh Pant's struggles in T20 cricket after another poor season with the bat for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). The former Indian cricketer, who shared numerous memorable partnerships with the wicketkeeper-batter in Test cricket, expressed surprise that Pant has not been able to crack the shortest format.

Pujara claimed that Pant's record in the T20 format should be much better than what it is at the moment. However, he claimed there is not much technically wrong with his game. The 103-Test veteran explained that Pant needs to play more on the off side.

"I am also very surprised. Because someone like him who can attack any bowler in Test cricket. And in IPL, when we just look at the stats. It's not as good as Test cricket. And I still feel that someone like Rishabh Pant is a quality batter. He can play all three formats of the game. And his record in T20 cricket should be a lot better than what it reflects. I think technically, I don't see a lot of changes that are needed in Rishabh's batting. It's just the mindset.

It's also clarity of thoughts. Clarity in what he needs to do when he walks in to bat. And the kind of shots he should play. Because in Test cricket, he knows that these are his areas. And because the field is kept up. And even if the field is kept on the fence. He still picks the right pockets to hit the shots. In T20 format, he is little more dominant on the leg side. Where he will have to work on his game on the offside. Which will allow him to be even more successful in T20 format," saidCheteshwar Pujara, expert on JioHotstar's 'Champions Waali Commentary.'

Should Rishabh Pant Step Down As Captain?

During the course of the same interaction, Pujara also called for reflection on whether Pant wants to continue captaining a team. Speaking about Hardik Pandya's struggles in captaincy, the Indian cricket legend claimed that the LSG skipper will benefit from focusing on just his batting.

"Well, it can. I am not sure. I think that is something for which he can only answer that. But we have seen that with other players, someone like Rishabh Pant. Who also hasn't been performing really well. He is leading the team, even Axar Patel. Does it affect their performance as a leader? I don't know. They are the ones who can answer that," Pujara stated.

"But sometimes yes, it can affect it. And especially in the case of Rishabh Pant, I think if he were focusing more on his game. That will definitely help him. Because we have seen that captaincy hasn't been helping him a lot. But it is always his personal decision. Whether he wants to continue as a leader. Or the franchise looks at another leader. And if Rishabh Pant plays as a player. Will his performance get better? If it does, then I am sure he should do that. But it is always a personal call. I am not the one who should be insisting.

"Whether he should continue, or another way to look at it is, at the end of the season, you reflect on what went wrong. As a leader and as an individual. So you start working on both aspects. You work on your leadership. You also work on your game. And if you can do both. And achieve good results for the team," Pujara concluded.

Meanwhile, Pujara spoke about his new role as a commentator and described the difference between playing and behind the mic. He claimed that he did not talk much when he was playing but claimed it was not tough for him to speak about the sport after entering the media.

Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now