Lucknow Super Giants’ captain Rishabh Pant, second right, with teammates during a practice session. (PTI Photo)

LUCKNOW: As Lucknow Super Giants gear up to face Delhi Capitals here Wednesday, the narrative writes itself. The stage is set, the lights are brighter than ever, and all eyes will turn to one man — Rishabh Pant. Leader, matchwinner and a player who thrives under pressure, Pant stands at the heart of this high-voltage clash.The LSG skipper will face his previous team, while eyeing a victory in the opener on their home turf. In the head-to-heads, DC leads 4-3 since their first clash in 2022.Under lights on Tuesday, Pant had a busy match-eve — checking the condition of the pitch, doing some shadow practice and then having a long mid-pitch chat with Mitchell Marsh.Ahead of this current season, Pant sweated it out in the preparatory camp for a fortnight. After modest returns last season — where he managed just 269 runs — Pant understands the responsibility to prove himself. When he was asked what position Pant would bat, LSG head coach Justin Langer was unwilling to give it away. “I’m not going to reveal it . There is a lot of talent there and there may be a bit of a problem of whom to pick and or not,” he said.

Apart from Langer, the LSG squad has a number of thinking heads guiding them, with global director Tom Moody, strategic cricket advisor Kane Williamson and bowling coach Bharat Arun making up a formidable array. The top order responsibility will once again be carried by overseas players Adien Markram, Mitch Marsh and Nicholas Pooran, while the middle order bears a very Indian face.The LSG pace battery, led by the experienced Mohammed Shami, appears charged for a long season ahead. Shami will be assisted by Anrich Nortje, Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan Mohsin Khan, Naman Tiwari and Akash Singh. Digvesh Rathi, M Siddhartha and Wanindu Hasaranga form part of the spin department.The Ekana ground staff have prepared a red soil square, expected to provide good bounce to the pacers.