Speaking about him opening in IPL 2026 game against DC, LSG captain Rishabh Pant said they wanted a left-right batter option at the top so that DC couldn't bowl a left-arm spinner. "Unfortunately, I got out at...wrong time. Otherwise, Axar Patel still had to bowl one over in...power play," he stated. Pant scored 7(9) in the match which DC won.