Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer has backed Rishabh Pant to bat at number four for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2027. Pant moved to the Capitals after he was traded out by Lucknow Super Giants in exchange for Kuldeep Yadav.

Pant scored 312 runs in 14 matches of IPL 2026 at an average of 28.36 and a strike rate of 138.05, whereas he could only manage 269 runs in IPL 2025 while leading LSG. 

Pant was bought for a massive amount of INR 27 crore in IPL 2025 mega auction, and he has moved to Delhi Capitals for INR 15 crore.

Wasim Jaffer said on his YouTube Channel, “I think number four is a better position for him because his IPL numbers at that spot are also very good. If you compare him with players who have batted at number four for a longer period, I think Rishabh Pant’s numbers are outstanding. He has tried opening and has also batted at number three, but I think number four is a better position for him in white-ball cricket. He can take a little time at the beginning and then pace his innings according to the situation.”

Jaffer urged Pant to perform consistently while playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Delhi to make his comeback into India’s white-ball teams.

He concluded, “I think the easier route for him to make a comeback is to play for Delhi, perform well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and, most importantly, have a very big IPL season. If he performs well in these two or three competitions, just as Ishan Kishan did, then I think the door will be open for him to return to the competition. He just needs to perform consistently. I think he can get back into contention, but he needs to have a bumper season with Delhi in white-ball cricket, especially.”

Pant has been named as the captain of Rest of India in the Irani Cup.