(DNP) Sanjay Bangar delivers honest verdict over Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Poora – Sanjay Bangar’s Strategic IPL 2026 Verdict: The Case for Repurchasing Stars

A New Strategy for the IPL Auction

As the dust settles on the IPL 2026 season, franchises are facing the daunting task of finalizing their squads for the future. Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has offered a compelling framework for these decisions, moving away from the standard ‘retain’ or ‘release’ binary. Instead, Bangar proposes a third, nuanced path: the repurchase.

This strategy allows teams to release high-profile players who failed to justify their current salary caps, only to bid for them again at a lower price during the auction. It is a calculated move that balances loyalty with financial responsibility.

The Lucknow Super Giants Conundrum

Bangar’s most eye-catching suggestions involve the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Despite underwhelming individual campaigns, he argues that the franchise should look to bring back both Nicholas Pooran and Rishabh Pant via the repurchase route. Pooran managed just 234 runs in 14 matches, while Pant, despite being the most expensive player in league history, failed to reach the heights expected of him. For Avesh Khan, however, the verdict was more final: Bangar believes LSG should part ways with the pacer entirely following a season marred by injury and inconsistency.

Mixed Bag for Punjab and Mumbai

The Punjab Kings received a varied set of recommendations. Bangar remains a supporter of retaining both Marco Jansen and Yuzvendra Chahal, suggesting their underlying utility outweighs their recent statistical fluctuations. Conversely, he feels that Xavier Bartlett has not done enough to warrant a continued spot in the starting XI.

In the Mumbai Indians camp, Shardul Thakur earns praise for his contribution of 12 wickets. However, Bangar suggests it might be time for the five-time champions to move on from seasoned campaigners like Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar. Perhaps most notably, he admitted uncertainty regarding the future of Hardik Pandya, indicating that the all-rounder’s role remains a topic of internal debate.

Strategic Decisions Across the League

The analysis extends to the rest of the league with clear, tactical reasoning:

• Delhi Capitals: Retain T Natarajan, but release both Nitish Rana and Mukesh Kumar.
• Chennai Super Kings: Keep faith in Shivam Dube while utilizing the repurchase option for Prashant Veer.
• Gujarat Titans: The core suggestion is to retain Rahul Tewatia while releasing Shahrukh Khan.
• Rajasthan Royals: Bangar advises keeping Ravindra Jadeja and Tushar Deshpande, while suggesting a split from Shimron Hetmyer.
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru: The franchise should continue their investment in Romario Shepherd.

The Value of the Repurchase Option

Bangar also highlighted players like Liam Livingstone and Harshal Patel as prime candidates for the repurchase strategy. While both possess match-winning ability, their current contract valuations likely exceed their recent on-field production. By releasing and repurchasing, franchises can retain the core talent they value while creating the necessary budget flexibility to strengthen other areas of the squad.

Ultimately, Bangar’s approach reflects the modern realities of the IPL. With the salary cap pressure and the sheer depth of talent available in the auction, teams must be pragmatic. The ability to distinguish between a player who is ‘finished’ and a player who is simply ‘overvalued’ is what will separate the successful franchises from the rest in the coming years. Whether the teams follow this expert advice remains to be seen, but the conversation has certainly shifted toward a more sophisticated model of roster management.