Lucknow Super Giants’ struggles in IPL 2026 deepened on Monday as they slumped to their seventh defeat of the season, triggering sharp criticism of skipper Rishabh Pant. In a high-scoring encounter at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, LSG failed to defend a daunting total of 229 and went down to Mumbai Indians by six wickets.
The defeat left LSG rooted at the bottom of the points table, intensifying scrutiny on Pant’s leadership and on-field decisions. While the team has shown flashes of brilliance with the bat, their inability to close out games has been a recurring concern. Pant, known for his aggressive approach, has found himself under pressure for what critics describe as inconsistent tactical calls and a lack of adaptability in crunch situations.
Former India batter did not hold back in his assessment, pointing out that leadership is not just about intent but also about execution and game awareness. With losses piling up, questions are now being raised about whether Pant has been able to inspire confidence within the squad or extract the best from his resources.
Different plans of LSG and MI despite having a similar tournament
Interestingly, both LSG and Mumbai Indians have endured underwhelming campaigns this season. While LSG sit at the bottom, MI are only marginally better placed at ninth. However, the difference in team management strategies has become a major talking point.
Mumbai’s approach has been marked by flexibility and rotation. The franchise has ensured that almost every squad member has been given an opportunity, allowing them to test combinations and keep players match-ready. This proactive strategy seems to have paid dividends, as MI have managed to stay competitive despite early setbacks.
In contrast, LSG have largely stuck with a similar playing XI, even as defeats mounted. The lack of experimentation has drawn criticism from experts, who believe that fresh energy and new options could have helped the side break its losing streak.
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Former cricketer questions LSG for not giving a chance to Arjun Tendulkar
One of the biggest talking points from the match was the continued absence of all-rounder Arjun Tendulkar from the playing XI. Despite being part of the squad and reportedly working on yorkers in the nets, Arjun has yet to get a game this season. This move has not gone down well with ex-India batter Manoj Tiwary, who raised his eyebrows and questioned Pant as well as LSG management.
Tiwary questioned this decision, especially after youngster Prince Yadav emerged as the only economical bowler in the match, conceding just 24 runs in his three overs by consistently hitting yorkers. According to Tiwary, this should have prompted Pant to instruct other bowlers to follow a similar approach or even consider introducing Arjun as a bowling option.
Drawing comparisons with legendary IPL captains like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, Tiwary remarked that elite leaders are defined by their tactical awareness and ability to make bold decisions under pressure. He suggested that Pant still has a long way to go in that regard.
“Pant is also losing out on tactical moves. In the match against Mumbai, Prince Yadav was the only economical bowler, and that was because he was executing yorkers. As a captain, you should have told the other bowlers to follow that plan. I even saw videos on social media, posted by LSG, showing Arjun Tendulkar bowling yorkers in the nets. So Pant could have brought him in. This is where MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma are different as captains,” Tiwary told Cricbuzz.
