At a glance
- Rishabh Pant slammed amid poor IPL 2026 form
- LSG back skipper despite 189 runs in 8 matches
- Team faces must win run with season on the line
The heat around Rishabh Pant continues to intensify in IPL 2026, yet inside the Lucknow Super Giants camp there remains a firm sense of belief that their captain is close to turning the tide.
Pant, signed for a staggering ₹27 crore at the mega auction, has struggled to hit consistent form. After scoring 269 runs in 14 matches last season at a strike rate of 127.50, including one century and one fifty, the left hander has followed up with 189 runs in 8 matches this year at a strike rate of 126.84, with just one half century.
Lucknow’s campaign has mirrored that dip, with the side managing only 2 wins from 8 matches and sitting at the bottom of the table.
Rishabh Pant Slammed but Backed by Team Management
Despite the mounting criticism, bowling coach Bharat Arun dismissed concerns while speaking to reporters at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.
“I don’t think the price tag has got to do anything with it,” Arun said to reporters.
“It’s just a question of, if you really look at his batting throughout and if you look at the second game that we played, he took us through the finish line.
“I wouldn’t be too concerned about his form. It’s just a question of one innings away from getting back his form.”
Knockout Phase Begins for Lucknow Super Giants
With the league stage entering a decisive stretch, Lucknow now face a must win situation in every outing.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel. For us, we have no other way to go. Every game is a knockout for us right from here,” Arun said to reporters.
The message from the coaching staff is clear. Focus on execution over over analysis.
“I don’t think reading too much into data would really help. It’s just that how we perform and how we focus on the things that we are confident about matters the most,” he added to reporters.
Fitness Boosts and Selection Positives for LSG
There have been encouraging signs in the squad, particularly with the fitness of left arm pacer Mohsin Khan, who has benefited from an intensive pre season programme.
“We have had camps two and a half months prior to this and our strength and training coach and the physios have really worked on him at least three months in advance for him to come back and remain in peak form. The kind of work he put into his fitness is reaping rewards right now,” Arun said to reporters.
Another boost could come in the form of express quick Mayank Yadav, who has returned to full fitness and is once again bowling at high pace.
“If you ask me if he’s fit, I would say yes, he’s fit and ready to go right now. He’s bowling quick and he’s back to his old ways where he started,” Arun said to reporters.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami continues to make a compelling case for national selection with his consistency.
“Shami’s mindset is very, very clear. On numerous occasions, he has said, selection is not in my hands but to do well is in my hands. That’s exactly what he’s doing,” Arun said to reporters.
“If you look at the form in which he’s bowling, everybody now is talking why is Shami not in the national team. I think it’s totally up to him. He enjoys his bowling and that is what he says.”
Away from Lucknow’s camp, Rohit Sharma was seen putting in extra work despite Mumbai Indians not having a scheduled session. The former captain went through light drills and a short net session, continuing his careful return.
For Lucknow, the equation is simple. Win all remaining matches or bow out. Yet within the camp, the belief endures that one defining innings from Pant could yet reignite their season.
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