(DNP) Sanjay Bangar delivers honest verdict over Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Poora – Sanjay Bangar’s Bold IPL 2026 Verdict: Repurchasing Pant and Pooran?
A Strategic Shift in IPL Squad Building
The post-IPL 2026 landscape is rife with speculation, and former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has provided a masterclass in analytical honesty. Moving beyond the binary choice of retaining or releasing players, Bangar has introduced a nuanced third option: the repurchase strategy. This tactical maneuver suggests that franchises should release certain high-profile individuals only to reclaim them at a more realistic price point in the subsequent mega-auction.
The Lucknow Super Giants Conundrum
Bangar’s most eye-catching recommendation concerns the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Despite their underwhelming performances in the 2026 season, he believes the franchise should consider letting go of both Nicholas Pooran and Rishabh Pant—only to bid for them again. The logic is sound: both stars failed to justify their hefty price tags this year. Pooran managed just 234 runs in 14 matches, while Pant, despite his status as the most expensive player in IPL history, could not deliver the explosive impact required to justify his valuation. Conversely, Bangar was definitive regarding pacer Avesh Khan, recommending a complete release following a season hampered by injuries and inconsistency.
Mixed Reviews Across the League
The evaluation extended to the rest of the league, with varying degrees of optimism and caution:
- Punjab Kings: Bangar advocates for the retention of Marco Jansen and Yuzvendra Chahal. However, he expressed skepticism regarding Xavier Bartlett, suggesting his recent output does not warrant a continued spot in the squad.
- Mumbai Indians: Shardul Thakur emerges as a player worth backing, having secured 12 wickets. In contrast, the franchise is encouraged to explore life without veterans Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar. Most intriguingly, Bangar remains uncertain about Hardik Pandya’s future, signaling a potential crossroads for the five-time champions.
- Delhi Capitals & Chennai Super Kings: For the Capitals, T Natarajan is a keeper, while the departures of Nitish Rana and Mukesh Kumar appear necessary. Meanwhile, Bangar supports retaining Shivam Dube for CSK, with a ‘repurchase’ option floated for Prashant Veer.
Assessing Individual Performances
The 2026 season stats paint a clear picture of why these difficult decisions are looming. Players like Liam Livingstone and Harshal Patel fall into the ‘repurchase’ category—athletes who clearly possess immense value but whose current salary commitments weigh heavily on team budgets. By releasing them, teams can strategically optimize their salary caps.
Broadening the Tactical Scope
Bangar’s analysis also touched upon other key franchises:
- Gujarat Titans: Keep the faith in Rahul Tewatia, but move on from Shahrukh Khan.
- Rajasthan Royals: Retain the core of Ravindra Jadeja and Tushar Deshpande, but look to part ways with Shimron Hetmyer.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru: The recommendation is to continue backing Romario Shepherd, suggesting that his utility remains valuable to the RCB setup.
Ultimately, Bangar’s approach emphasizes that IPL team management is as much about financial pragmatism as it is about on-field performance. As the auction window approaches, franchises will have to decide whether to cling to past reputations or embrace the cold, hard reality of the 2026 data. This nuanced perspective provides a fascinating blueprint for how teams can rebuild without completely discarding their identity. Whether these franchises heed his advice remains to be seen, but the conversation regarding value-for-money has certainly been shifted by Bangar’s expert insight.
