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Former India batter Ambati Rayudu has asked Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant to resign from the position before IPL 2027.
Pant joined LSG as skipper in IPL 2025, but hasn’t delivered results. In both IPL 2025 and IPL 2026, LSG were eliminated from the tournament in the group stages, and Pant’s own form with the bat has been very bad.
Over the last two years, Pant’s meagre returns with the bat have been subject to criticism from both fans and experts alike. Over the last few days, there have been reports speculating Pant’s exit from LSG
Rishabh Pant and LSG in 2026
Pant’s batting form did not improve from IPL 2025, but in 2026, he was arguably worse. And not just him, but his team as well.
In 2025, LSG finished 7th on the points table, but somehow plummeted even lower. The Lucknow franchise had two wins in their first three matches, but slipped to losing 6 matches in a row in the mid-season.
LSG eventually won two more matches in the tournament, but that did not stop them from becoming the first team to be eliminated from this tournament.
Pant’s batting form has also been a concern. In 2025, he made 269 runs in 14 matches at an average of 24.45 and a strike rate of 133.16. He also made a century and a fifty.
This year, he has slightly improved on most counts. His final run tally reads 312 runs from 14 matches at an average of 28 and a strike rate of 136 with one half-century.
“The best thing he can do is play as a player” – Ambati Rayudu
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Ambati Rayudu reflected on Rishabh Pant’s captaincy style, terming it instinctive and impulsive even. He said that this style wasn’t always compatible with the coaching staff that LSG has now.
“His idol has always been MS Dhoni. We have seen him talk about him, and MS Dhoni’s captaincy is very, very similar. He is very instinctive, so he might be following that path, which the coaching staff might not be compatible with.”
“So, there are so many things, so unless and until we hear from Pant as to what his captaincy style is, we can only assume what he’s going through or what he’s thinking. But from the looks of it, it looks like he is very, very instinctive and impulsive sometimes. I think the best thing he can do is play as a player,” Rayudu said.
“There’s no point in captaincy” – Rayudu
Rayudu went on to say that Rishabh Pant shouldn’t take the burden of captaincy on himself and that MS Dhoni’s shoes are still very big ones for him to fill.
“Captaincy is a tough job; there is no point in doing it. Be happy in your life, play as a player, score lots of runs,” Rayudu continued.
Rayudu went on to compare Dhoni and Rishabh Pant’s captaincy styles. “They are big shoes to fill. MS Dhoni is someone who thinks on his feet. He knows what to expect from someone in a certain situation or at a certain point. or what he’s going to deliver then.”
“So that way, he is very well prepared. He knows what his resources are and what they bring to the table. But, Rishabh Pant, maybe because he’s not suited to say plan A, plan B, plan C. I don’t think he goes that route. If he cannot go on that route, then he should just sit back, enjoy, and play as a player.
Also Read: Sachin Tendulkar reacts to Arjun Tendulkar’s impactful LSG outing
Would Rishabh Pant be a better player without the burden of captaincy? pic.twitter.com/JdWI0SLYWX
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 24, 2026
