Former Indian batter Subramaniam Badrinath reckons Rishabh Pant could produce the knock of the tournament against Chennai Super Kings on Friday in the ongoing IPL 2026. Badrinath recalled that Pant had played a similar knock in IPL 2025 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the team’s last league stage match after he had a poor season.

Pant had scored an unbeaten knock of 118 runs off 61 balls in the previous season and once again the wicket-keeper bat has had a torrid run in the ongoing IPL 2026. The left-hander has scored 251 runs in 11 matches at an average of 27.89 and a strike rate of 138.67.

Badrinath said on his YouTube Channel, “CSK have to be wary of Rishabh Pant, who has failed this entire season. It’s in such situations that he could produce the knock of the tournament. That’s what he did last season, followed by somersaults. CSK will have to guard against something like that.”

Badrinath added, “Playing against LSG, who are already eliminated, will be a big advantage for CSK. The difference in motivation will be a massive factor. Though, Josh Inglis shocked the CSK attack the last time they met. But LSG will play youngsters more and that can lead to most wrong decisions at crucial junctures due to the inexperience. It is tricky though as LSG will play with nothing to lose.”

The former CSK batter backed Ruturaj Gaikwad’s team to qualify for the playoffs as the fourth team. CSK has won six out of their 11 games so far in the tournament and they are currently in fifth place in the standings.

“CSK have at least gone to the final whenever they’ve won four straight matches at any stage in the season. GT, SRH and RCB will definitely qualify for the playoffs as the top three. CSK will qualify as the fourth team is my prediction. There is a great chance of a CSK-RCB Eliminator or Qualifier, which will boost the interest levels of this IPL,” said Badrinath (via the aforementioned source).

CSK will face LSG at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Friday.