Pant's confusion on multiple fronts hurting LSG in IPL 2026

Rishabh Pant's inconsistency with the bat continues as Lucknow Super Giants struggle for wins in IPL 2026.

LSG's recent struggles Rishabh Pant showed signs of recovery in IPL 2026's previous match, smashing 43 off 23 deliveries as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) chased 255 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) but fell 54 runs short. However, just a day later, Pant was dismissed for a golden duck in three balls as LSG suffered another defeat, their fifth loss in seven games this season. The loss came against Rajasthan Royals (RR). Dale Steyn attributed LSG's poor run to Pant trying to juggle multiple approaches at once, balancing his natural style with the aggressive tactics seen from captains like Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar. ## Pant's season stats dip Pant had a promising start to the season with an unbeaten 68 off 50 balls in LSG's second game, helping them defeat Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a low-scoring contest. However, excluding that innings and his 43 against PBKS, Pant's highest score this season is just 18, with a total of 147 runs from seven innings at a strike rate of 132.43. Justin Langer, LSG's head coach, acknowledged Pant's desire to play freely and instinctively, noting his aggressive approach against PBKS was necessary given the massive chase but expressed frustration that it didn't pay off in the RR match. ## Captains setting new benchmarks Pant's struggles have been linked to the elevated standards set by captains like Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar, who have delivered high-impact performances. Iyer has amassed 208 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 182.45, while Patidar has 230 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 212.96. Faf du Plessis highlighted the modern approach to T20 batting, citing Virat Kohli as an example of a player who combines high intensity with calculated risk-taking to navigate tough conditions. The captain's role in setting the tone was emphasized, with du Plessis noting that Pant might be feeling pressure to match such aggression. ## Criticism on Pant's white-ball clarity After LSG's loss to RR, du Plessis suggested that Pant lacked clarity in his batting approach, questioning how often he can replicate Kohli's method of avoiding dot balls and maintaining a steady tempo on challenging wickets. Saba Karim echoed this sentiment, stating that Pant has yet to develop a clear template for white-ball cricket despite years of experience in domestic and IPL cricket since 2015-16. Karim compared Pant's struggles to the confidence seen in players like Iyer and Patidar, who have a clear game plan even on difficult tracks. ## Historical context and LSG's urgency Pant has delivered strong IPL seasons in the past, including 366 runs at a strike rate of 165.61 in 2017 and 684 runs at 173.60 in 2018, though he has never surpassed those numbers. He crossed 400 runs in three other seasons but is currently on pace for a similar output this year, with 147 runs at a strike rate of 132.43. LSG urgently need Pant to find his best form, as his output last season (269 runs in 14 innings at 133.17) closely mirrors his current performance.