Zaheer Khan Questions LSG’s Opening Shuffle After Heavy Defeat to Punjab Kings
Zaheer Khan called Lucknow’s decision to promote Ayush Badoni to open a bizarre one, saying constant changes are denying the batting unit any rhythm.
By SportCricket Desk · 20 Apr 2026 · 2 min read
Former India seamer Zaheer Khan has criticised Lucknow Super Giants for the constant reshuffling of their batting order, following the side’s 54-run defeat to Punjab Kings in IPL 2026.
A surprise at the top
Lucknow were chasing an enormous target of 255 when they sent Ayush Badoni in to open alongside Mitchell Marsh. Aiden Markram, who had been opening in recent games, was moved down to No. 5. The plan did not work, and LSG finished on 200 for 5.
Zaheer described the call as bizarre. He noted that Markram has already been used in three different batting positions this season, and argued that so much movement leaves the group unable to settle or perform to its potential.
Consistency where it matters
The former pacer accepted that a team can reasonably experiment with its middle order. The opening partnership, though, is a different matter in his view, because it sets the tone for the whole innings. Rotating openers from game to game, he said, only breeds confusion and instability in the line-up.
How the match was decided
Punjab had earlier built their huge total on two big innings, Priyansh Arya making 93 and Cooper Connolly 87. The 54-run win kept Punjab at the top of the points table, while Lucknow slipped to eighth.
With their batting order now a talking point as much as their results, LSG will be hoping for clearer planning in the games that follow.
