(DNP) Sanjay Bangar delivers honest verdict over Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Poora – Sanjay Bangar’s Strategic IPL 2026 Verdict: Pant, Pooran and Beyond

Rethinking IPL Strategy: The Bangar Philosophy

The conclusion of the IPL 2026 season has left many franchises at a crossroads. As teams begin to evaluate their rosters for the future, former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has provided a fresh, analytical perspective on how clubs should approach their squad compositions. Moving beyond the binary choice of retention or release, Bangar has championed a nuanced third path: the repurchase strategy.

The Case for Repurchasing High-Profile Stars

Perhaps the most discussed aspect of Bangar’s assessment involves two of the biggest names in the tournament: Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran. Both players endured underwhelming campaigns that failed to reflect their enormous price tags. Bangar suggests that while their recent form has been inconsistent, they remain integral to their team’s long-term identity. By releasing them and targeting them again at a lower price in the upcoming auction, franchises could retain their star power without the burden of record-breaking salary caps.

For instance, Pooran’s 234 runs across 14 matches left much to be desired, and Pant—the most expensive player in IPL history—failed to deliver the transformative season many anticipated. Bangar’s view is clear: keep the talent, but reset the valuation.

Franchise-by-Franchise Breakdown

Bangar’s analysis spanned the entire league, offering specific recommendations for various teams:

• Lucknow Super Giants: Beyond the Pant/Pooran discussion, Bangar was categorical regarding Avesh Khan, recommending the franchise part ways with the pacer after an injury-plagued and ineffective season.
• Punjab Kings: Stability seems to be the keyword here. Bangar supports retaining Marco Jansen and Yuzvendra Chahal. However, he expressed doubts about Xavier Bartlett, suggesting he has not done enough to secure a spot for the next cycle.
• Mumbai Indians: Shardul Thakur earned praise for his contribution of 12 wickets. In contrast, Bangar believes it may be time for the franchise to move on from veterans Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar. Most intriguingly, he admitted uncertainty regarding the future of Hardik Pandya at the helm.
• Delhi Capitals: The recommendation here is to retain T Natarajan while releasing Nitish Rana and Mukesh Kumar to streamline the squad.
• Chennai Super Kings: Bangar backed the retention of Shivam Dube, a vital cog in their middle order, while suggesting the franchise could look to repurchase Prashant Veer.

Strategic Decisions Across the League

The logic of the ‘repurchase’ category extends to other impact players who have seen their utility diminish relative to their cost. Players like Liam Livingstone and Harshal Patel were placed in this bracket. The assessment is not that these players lack skill, but rather that their current financial footprint is disproportionate to their recent output.

Elsewhere, Bangar advocated for a mix of continuity and change:

• Gujarat Titans: Keep Rahul Tewatia; release Shahrukh Khan.
• Rajasthan Royals: Retain the core of Ravindra Jadeja and Tushar Deshpande, but look to move on from Shimron Hetmyer.
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Continue to invest faith in the potential of Romario Shepherd.

The Reality of Performance Metrics

Bangar’s insights are rooted in a deep examination of the 2026 season’s statistical data. When looking at the numbers—ranging from high-economy rates to inconsistent batting averages across the league—it becomes evident that many teams suffered from an imbalance between player cost and on-field efficiency. By advocating for a more fluid approach to the auction, Bangar is encouraging franchises to be more pragmatic about their financial resources.

The IPL 2026 season will be remembered as a turning point in how teams view squad depth. As franchises prepare for the next phase of the tournament, Bangar’s advice serves as a masterclass in modern cricket management: sometimes, to move forward, a team must be willing to let go, regroup, and strategically re-acquire the assets that define their success.