Pant Picks Digvesh Rathi Over Shahbaz Ahmed for Final Over

Rishabh Pant chose Digvesh Rathi over shahbaz ahmed for the final over on May 7, 2026, and Lucknow Super Giants held on with 20 runs to defend. The decision came after Pant spoke with both bowlers and Mitchell Marsh, then trusted Rathi to finish against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Pant’s final-over call

Pant said the choice was made under pressure, with Shahbaz Ahmed and Rathi both in the frame before the over began. He had to decide between Shahbaz’s experience and control and Rathi’s unpredictability, deception and mystery, then backed the bowler he felt suited the matchup.

“It was a tough call (to go with Rathi over Shahbaz). We were under pressure. But at the same time you've got to trust your bowler. Rathi was the right matchup for sure against Shepherd. He trusted himself and got the job done for the team.”

Rathi against Shepherd

Rathi took the over and gave up 10 runs, leaving Lucknow Super Giants with enough room to close out the match. Romario Shepherd was the batter Pant had singled out as the matchup that shaped the call, and the over ended with the side still ahead.

The finish mattered because Lucknow Super Giants were trying to defend only 20 runs in the last over, a margin thin enough to make one bowling change decisive. Pant’s choice also kept Shahbaz Ahmed out of the final act after he had been presented as the steadier option.

Lucknow Super Giants stay alive

Lucknow Super Giants won the match and stayed in the hunt for the playoffs. For Pant, the late-over decision was not just about choosing a bowler for one over; it was the move that protected the result when the margin had already shrunk to its narrowest point.