India, April 2 -- Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen didn't hold back while questioning Lucknow Super Giants' decision to choose Rishabh Pant to open the innings against Delhi Capitals on Wednesday. In a surprising move, the LSG leadership decided to split last season's successful pairing of Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram, promoting Pant to open alongside Marsh. The gamble, however, backfired early. Pant, unfamiliar with the role for some time, struggled from the outset. He managed just seven runs before being run out at the non-striker's end. The dismissal came after Delhi's Mukesh Kumar cleverly deflected a straight hit from Marsh, leaving Pant stranded on the non-striker's end.

Pant has stepped in as an opener in 23 T20 innings ...