It was a practice session that left everyone in awe—Rishabh Pant smashing 95 off just 30 balls. But for Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer, that breathtaking innings was more than just a highlight reel; it was proof that his captain is on the verge of a major comeback.

Despite LSG's disappointing IPL 2026 campaign—sitting at the bottom of the table with only two wins from nine matches after another loss to Mumbai Indians—Langer remains unwavering in his support for Pant. The wicketkeeper-batter's form and tactical decisions have drawn scrutiny, but the coach sees a player who's "not far off" from his explosive best.

"We played a practice game two days ago, and Rishi scored about 95 off 30 or 40 balls. You watch that and think, 'That's Rishabh Pant at his very best,'" Langer revealed. "He's a very good player. We've seen him destroy Test attacks at number five, and we felt today might be a good option for the team."

Pant's decision to drop down the batting order, allowing Nicholas Pooran to take a higher slot, raised some eyebrows. But Langer framed it as a selfless move for the team's benefit. "He selflessly moved down the order to let Nicky P bat, and his batting was unbelievable," the coach said, referencing Pooran's explosive 63 off 21 balls.

Leadership in the high-pressure IPL environment is never easy, especially for a player carrying a record price tag. But Langer dismissed any notion that the financial burden is weighing on Pant. "Honestly, I don't think the money has anything to do with it. Leadership is tough—you're carrying lots of pressure, and he knows that. He's working hard, and he's not far off."

Pant himself acknowledged that LSG fell short after a strong start, leaving the team searching for answers. With Langer's backing and that stunning practice knock fresh in everyone's mind, the Super Giants will be hoping their captain's best is just around the corner.