In the IPL 2025 auction Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) created history with a record-breaking bid to buy Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant for a huge amount of 27 crores. It was exceptional after letting go of their captain KL Rahul. They have retained Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, and Mohsin Khan, all of whom are excellent cricketers. However, The focus was so heavily on acquiring Rishabh Pant that the team’s strategy to buy an opener seemed neglected. Realistically, when considering who they have to open their innings, there are uncertainties. There are some probable options for opening, they ain’t regular opener but some big names in the cricketing world, at some points have opened the innings in their career. Let’s look at the options.
Mitchell Marsh
Australia’s T20I captain, Mitchell Marsh is one of the choices to open the innings. In 2024, the all-rounder has played two matches as an opener, scoring 43 runs with a strike rate of 179.2. Although he doesn’t have much experience as an opener, he can play remarkable innings at number three. In that position, he has played a total of 14 innings, scoring 999 runs with a strike rate of 126.0, achieving six half-centuries and one century. Looking at his versatility and ability to adapt, he could do well for LSG as an opener also if given a chance.
Aiden Markram
Another captain in the team who leads his nation. South African captain Aiden Markram has also played as an opener at one point in his career. In 2018, he played seven matches as an opener and scored 142 runs with a strike rate of 118.3, including one half-century. At number three, he has played nine matches, scoring 175 runs with a strike rate of 119.9. With his experience in opening the innings, LSG might consider him as a viable option.
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Rishabh Pant
LSG’s marquee signing, Rishabh Pant has been an attacking player in the IPL, having played a total of 110 matches and scoring 3,283 runs with a strike rate of 148.9. Talking about the 2024 season, he showed his destructive ability, scoring 446 runs at a strike rate of 155.40, with three half-centuries in 13 matches.
As an opener in T20 cricket in the domestic circuit, he has only played four times scoring 104 runs in those innings with a strike rate of 136.8. He has also played five T20Is as an opener, scoring 72 runs. Although he does not have extensive experience as an opener, given his T20 World Cup performance at number three, he could provide stability and be effective if given the chance.
Who should open for LSG in IPL 2025?
Rishabh Pant and Mitchell Marsh are excellent choices to open the innings. Mitchell Marsh, being a destructive batter can hit big shots, while Rishabh Pant has the knack to settle down and play a long innings. Together they can open LSG’s innings in IPL 2025. Aiden Markram can come in at number four, with Nicholas Pooran potentially preceding him at number three. Markram can play as an anchor and stabilise the innings in the middle order, complementing the explosive style of Marsh and Pant. Conclusively, Mitchell Marsh is a suitable opener along with Rishabh Pant for LSG in IPL 2025.
LSG squad for IPL 2025
Batters: David Miller, Ayush Badoni, Matthew Breetzke, Himmat Singh, Aryan Juyal
Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran
All-rounders: Abdul Samad, Mitchell Marsh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Arshin Kulkarni, Yuvraj Choudhary, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Aiden Markram
Fast bowlers: Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, Akash Deep, Mohsin Khan, Shamar Joseph, Akash Singh, Prince Yadav
Spinners: Ravi Bishnoi, M Siddharth, Digvesh Singh
