Former RCB Head Coach Sanjay Bangar has advised Lucknow Super Giants skipper Rishabh Pant to fake his state of composure if the latter absolutely has to.
Under Pant’s captaincy, LSG have been almost eliminated from playoffs contention in IPL 2026 and are currently on a six-match losing streak. Bangar’s comments came after LSG’s loss to the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday.
Lucknow slump to sixth defeat in a row
LSG’s loss to MI on May 4 has basically ended their chances of qualifying for the IPL 2026 playoffs. LSG batted first and got to a good start courtesy Mitchell Marsh.
But the real carnage came from Nicholas Pooran. Pooran was promoted to No. 3 and was at his destructive best. The southpaw made 63 runs from just 21 balls and gave LSG a solid foundation by the halfway point of the innings.
Aiden Markram and Himmat Singh were unbeaten, but could not propel LSG to greater heights considering the start they had gotten. Mumbai, on the other hand, walked through the chase of 229 almost like it was nothing.
Both Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton made more than 80 in a scintillating opening stand of 143. After their dismissals, MI’s middle order, led by Naman Dhir, closed out the highest successful chase in the franchise’s history.
“At the forefront, you have to fake composure” – Bangar
Sanjay Bangar was talking to ESPNCricinfo when he noticed Pant’s demeanour while talking to the broadcasters after the match. Bangar was asked whether Rishabh Pant looks like a captain who has been running out of ideas. He replied in the affirmative.
“Yes that is the case. Because, if you take that one innings away [Pant’s 68* vs SRH early in the season], I mean if you are scoring runs, I think he would be far much more clearer in terms of his decision making, one, and also in whatever he is communicating.”
“Because, it’s actually very very important for a captain to maintain that stability around, you know that inside you are boiling or inside you are hurting. But still, at the forefront, you have to actually fake a composure. And that is something which has been lacking so far in whatever we have seen of Rishabh Pant, while communicating with the broadcasters,” Bangar said.
Also Read: “We should have got more runs”: Rishabh Pant blames the batters for defeat vs Mumbai Indians
Rishabh Pant’s poor form and LSG’s next match in IPL 2026
Just like he had in 2025, Pant has struggled for form in 2026. In 9 matches, he has made 204 runs at an average of just 25.50.
His strike rate has been a very un-Pantesque 128.30. He has made just one fifty with a high score of 68*.
LSG have now been practically eliminated from IPL 2026 and are no longer in playoffs contention. Their next match is against a Royal Challengers Bangalore side that will look to strengthen their playoffs chances.
RCB are sitting strong at the second position and have already beaten LSG once this season. The match will be held in Lucknow, so Rishabh Pant’s men will hope that they can rain on RCB’s parade now.
