Pant’s attempt to open the innings did not yield the desired result as LSG suffered a defeat against Delhi Capitals in their IPL 2026 opener on Wednesday. Pant scored 7 runs from 9 balls and was run out at the non-striker’s end.

“I think it’s a 50-50 call, but we’ll see. But [you’ll] definitely see me in the top order,” Pant said after the match.

Promoting Pant to open bumped Aiden Markram to No. 3, despite Markram having formed one of the most effective opening partnerships last season with Marsh. That duo recorded the second-highest partnership runs of the campaign. Markram also had his best IPL season, amassing 445 runs at a strike rate of 148.82.

The change also pushed LSG’s key hitter Nicholas Pooran down the order from one down. Last season, Pooran scored 524 runs at a strike rate of 196.25 from this position. Ayush Badoni was sent ahead of Pooran after the loss of the second wicket during the power play.

Pant explained the strategy involved allowing Pooran to take charge in the middle overs while he advanced in the batting order. He also said the reshuffle with Ayush Badoni aimed to maintain a left-right combination at the top to restrict the opposition’s bowling options.

“I think the idea was very simple. Like, [Pooran] is taking charge in the middle overs. He’s not batting in the top order anymore because I’m batting up the order,” Pant elaborated.

“And the swap [between Pooran and Badoni] happened because, you know, we wanted to explore that lefty-righty option at the top. So, they couldn’t bowl a left-arm spinner. Unfortunately, I got out at the wrong time,” he added.

Delhi Capitals started the 2026 IPL season with a comprehensive six-wicket victory over LSG at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday. This win marked DC’s fifth consecutive victory against LSG in the IPL, making them the third team against which DC has achieved such a streak.