Former Australia head coach Justin Langer has shared his candid thoughts on his evolving relationship with Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. Pant, who delivered match-winning performances during the last two Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series in Australia, had been a thorn in Langer’s side as India clinched historic victories in 2018/19 and 2020/21.
Now, with Pant joining the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a record-breaking INR 27 crore in the IPL 2025 auction, Langer, who became LSG’s head coach in 2024, looks forward to working with the young Indian star. “Rishabh Pant has haunted me the most from the last two series,” Langer admitted during commentary on Day 1 of the second India-Australia Test in Adelaide. “Now, a week ago, I hope he’s my favourite person in the world with the Lucknow Super Giants picking him. Now he’s my mate, not my nemesis.”
Pant’s acquisition by LSG for INR 27 crore marks the highest price ever in IPL auction history, underscoring his immense value as a game-changer. Known for his fearless batting and electrifying presence behind the stumps, Pant has consistently proven his mettle in high-pressure situations.
With Justin Langer at the helm and a star-studded lineup featuring Rishabh Pant, the Lucknow Super Giants aim to elevate their performance in IPL 2025. The pairing of Langer’s strategic acumen with Pant’s dynamic skills could create a formidable force in the competition.
