Every IPL campaign brings a fresh round of signings, as franchises try to plug gaps without disturbing the spine of their squad. Yet, once a side begins shuffling roles game after game, the chemistry that once looked settled can unravel quickly. That has been a recurring concern for Lucknow Super Giants in 2026, where changes in the batting order have repeatedly disrupted a lineup that, on paper, still carries plenty of firepower.
Led by Rishabh Pant, Lucknow entered the season with one of the more experienced batting groups in the league. Their overseas strength included Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Josh Inglis and Nicholas Pooran—names that are normally capable of turning matches with the bat. But despite a bowling attack that has often impressed, the batting has struggled to consistently complement it, with constant tinkering and no stable roles for key batters becoming a major talking point.
Quick facts
- Lucknow Super Giants are in the bottom half of the table in 2026, with two wins from nine matches.
- The team’s batting has repeatedly failed to back its bowling due to frequent rotations and unclear fixed roles.
- Ahead of a crucial clash versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Aakash Chopra suggested specific top-order combinations.
- Chopra argued that if Lucknow lose, their IPL will effectively end, creating a “nothing to lose, everything to gain” window.
- Chopra said: don’t make Josh Inglis open; make Aiden Markram open with Mitchell Marsh.
- He recommended keeping Nicholas Pooran at No. 3, Pant at No. 4, Inglis at No. 5, and Mukul Choudhary and Himmat Singh at No. 6 and No. 7.
Those concerns have naturally fed into criticism of Pant’s leadership approach, especially as Lucknow’s results have stalled. With just two victories in nine matches, the side sits at the base of the standings, and every remaining game carries heightened pressure. In the build-up to their season-defining match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the debate on structure and selection has grown louder.
Chopra’s suggested batting blueprint
Former India batter and expert commentator Aakash Chopra offered a clear view of what he believes Lucknow should do with their batting combinations at the top. He pointed to pairings that previously worked well for the franchise and suggested adjusting the batting positions for newer additions while preserving the roles of established strengths lower down the order. Chopra framed this as a stage where results can swing in either direction, arguing that the team should use the opportunity not only to salvage the campaign, but also to identify what went wrong so they can build better next season.
In his comments, Chopra stressed the urgency of the next game: if Lucknow lose, their tournament ends. He tied that to the idea that when the pressure is absolute, teams can take risks without the fear of “wasting” a chance—so long as the plan is coherent. His message was direct on the opening pair, urging Lucknow not to disrupt settled roles by forcing Inglis into the top.
“Don’t make Inglis open,” Chopra said, adding that the opening slot should be anchored by Markram rather than shuffled around. He insisted that Marsh and Markram should be the two openers, describing Markram as an opener by nature and role.
Chopra’s argument carries weight because Markram’s best performances have indeed come when he has batted as an opener. For Lucknow, he delivered a debut season haul of 445 runs, including five half-centuries, after being bought for INR 2 crore ahead of the 2025 season. He then formed a productive opening partnership with Marsh, and the duo accumulated 574 runs across just 12 innings together, highlighted by a 115-run opening stand against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2025.
This season, however, the opening pair has taken a hit as Lucknow have rotated heavily at the top. Pant and Inglis have also been tried in the opening role, but Chopra’s view was that this has cost the batters rhythm and continuity. He specifically pushed for Inglis to be moved down the order, pointing to his wicketkeeper-batter skill set rather than treating him purely as an opener.
With the Markram-Marsh combination expected to continue establishing the early platform, Chopra also laid out how he wants the middle order to be supported. He said Pooran should stay at No. 3, a spot where he has historically been most impactful, but where his form has dipped after being moved down the batting order from his natural position.
Chopra cited evidence from Lucknow’s recent match: Pooran returned to No. 3 and struck 63 off just 21 balls against Mumbai Indians. That innings, Chopra argued, reflected the difference that comes when a batter is placed where he can play his natural game.
From there, the former India batter mapped the next phase of the chase. He suggested Pant should bat at No. 4, using his hitting ability rather than functioning as an anchor. In Chopra’s plan, Inglis would slot in at No. 5, with the finishing responsibilities shared by Mukul Choudhary and Himmat Singh at No. 6 and No. 7 respectively—also noting that Himmat had scored runs in the previous match.
Chopra concluded that this structure gives Lucknow the best chance to extract value from their batting resources against one of the stronger bowling units in the league. He also made a final, firm point about stability: “Keep Nicholas Pooran at No. 3,” he said, followed by “keep Rishabh Pant at No. 4” and “bring Josh Inglis at No. 5.” He then reiterated that No. 6 and No. 7 should be Mukul Choudhary and Himmat Singh, and added that Lucknow can decide No. 8 as they please—just not at the expense of the core batting order he outlined.
