The ongoing TATA Indian Premier League 2026 (TATA IPL 2026) has so far been a tough ride for both the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and their captain, Rishabh Pant. With five losses from seven games this season so far, the pressure is building intensely on Rishabh Pant.
LSG’s story looks similar to last season, where Pant’s form with the bat and the team’s results both were disappointing despite having a strong squad on paper.
Rishabh Pant fails again as RR crushes LSG in IPL 2026
Pant is known for his attacking style, but he has not been able to play big innings for the franchise. Their recent 40-run defeat against the Rajasthan Royals made things worse for both Pant and the Lucknow Super Giants.
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Chasing 160, LSG failed to handle the pressure and were all out for just 119, with Pant being dismissed for a three-ball duck by Nandre Burger. The left-handed batter has so far managed only 147 runs in seven matches.
After another failure, the former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Saba Karim launched a scathing attack on the LSG captain. In a savage dig at Pant, Karim said that he is still figuring out how to bat in white-ball cricket.
Rishabh Pant is yet to find his template in T20s: Saba Karim
The former Indian selector has pointed out that Pant looks more clear in his thinking and plays with better control in Tests, but he seems unsure about his game plan in T20s and ODIs.
Saba Karim said on ESPNCricinfo’s Time Out show, “The modern T20 batter has to find his own template—whether it is Shreyas Iyer or Rajat Patidar. If Rajat Patidar goes on to bat on a track like this, he’s got clarity in his mind that he will go and play the big shots, and he is confident of doing so. He practices like that.”
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The former BCCI official further added, “Rishabh Pant’s problem lies in the fact that he is yet to find his template in white-ball cricket. I am not only talking about T20 but even ODIs. During test match batting, there is more transparency in his thought process, the way he prepares. Somehow, in white-ball cricket, he’s yet to find that.”
Rajat Patidar and Shreyas Iyer creating pressure on Rishabh Pant: Faf du Plessis
Meanwhile, former South African captain Faf du Plessis also shared his views on Pant’s struggles in the tournament. The former RCB and CSK icon feels for the LSG captain as he believes that the latter is feeling extra pressure as a captain and that’s the main reason behind his struggles.
Du Plessis has pointed out that skippers like Rajat Patidar and Shreyas Iyer are leading from the front with aggressive batting this season, and that may be forcing Pant to play risky shots more often to match the style of other captains this season.
Faf du Plessis said during the same discussion, “A lot captain, of teams are talking about how you must be aggressive, how you must take the game on. As a captain, you feel that responsibility lies with you to demonstrate that. Rajat Patidar is leading the way for RCB; so is Shreyas Iyer for PBKS. The captain sets the tone. So, you almost can’t blame Pant for thinking, ‘I need to do the same’.”
