Harbhajan Singh has alluded to a possible rift between his former teammate Zaheer Khan, who is now mentoring the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), and captain Rishabh Pant. This only adds to the speculation over Pant's failure to produce against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 27, in the IPL 2025 match. The former spinner says that Zaheer and Pant do not agree on the way the Indian batting star should be placed. Harbhajan insists that Zaheer would have preferred Pant to open the innings, but as per the skipper, he wanted to bat in the middle-order. Nevertheless, the Pant was cut short in his innings for a meager score of 15 runs off 15 balls. His poor innings at a batting-friendly Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium went completely unsparing on social media. While Nicholas Pooran smashed 70 off just 26 balls, Mitchell Marsh added to that with 52 from 31, making Pant's struggles appear even brighter. Also Read: Head Coach Stephen Fleming hints at CSK's XI ahead of RCB clash Two brilliant sixes and two boundaries earned as quick as 22* runs from 8 balls by Abdul Samad led LSG to achieve a five-wicket win against SRH and win two precious points. Not so for Pant, who cost an exorbitant INR 27 crores but failed to deliver. His inability to adjust his batting position became one of the main points of discussion. Harbhajan Singh said on Star Sports’ Cricket Live show: “Zaheer Khan wanted him to open the game, but Pant wants to play in the middle order. But Zaheer Khan wanted him to open the game, because if he opens the game, then your best player will play more. Whether it’s Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, or Aiden Markram, if you are considering them to be their best players, then they shouldn't bat below 4 or 5. So I think Pant should play on top. So, it’s surprising that Pant went against Zaheer. It is absolutely surprising.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Star Sports India (@starsportsindia) He is a former cricketer and would strengthen his point by emphasizing that Zaheer had preferred him as an opener, but the wicketkeeper-batter would stick to his usual spot and suffer the consequences. Also Read | IPL 2025: Harbhajan Singh Under Fire for Racist Remark on Jofra Archer The veteran cricketer was also taken aback by Pant dishing out such a great deal of advice from his mentor and the management only to come up to the way of performance. Lucknow Super Giants will next face Punjab Kings at their home ground on April 1 in IPL 2025. Pant, on the other hand, was not included in India's ICC Champions Trophy 2025-winning squad in Dubai and remained unused during the ODI series against England at home.