- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,129,651
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
Rishabh Pant to be sacked as captain? LSG consider leadership 'reset' after poor IPL 2026 campaign originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- LSG's Tom Moody hints at a leadership reset after Rishabh Pant's poor captaincy record
- Pant won just four of 14 matches this season, finishing tenth on the table.
- LSG owner had once compared Pant's future legacy to Dhoni and Rohit Sharma.
Rishabh Pant's captaincy future at LSG hangs in the balance after another dismal IPL season
Lucknow Super Giants came into IPL 2026 with a point to prove after finishing seventh the previous season. They ended up making things considerably worse.
Under Rishabh Pant's leadership, LSG won just four of their 14 matches this season and finished tenth.
Across two seasons with Pant at the helm, the team has now collected ten wins and 18 defeats. For a franchise that made significant noise when they signed the wicketkeeper-batter for a record-breaking fee, the returns have been underwhelming.
Following LSG's seven-wicket defeat to Punjab Kings, the franchise's global director of cricket, Tom Moody, stood at the post-match press conference and said what many had apprehended.
MORE: Pant's form under scrutiny after two disappointing seasons at LSG
What did Tom Moody say about LSG captaincy & Rishabh Pant?
Moody acknowledged that captaincy had clearly weighed heavily on Pant this season and questioned whether that burden had spilled over into his batting as well.
The Australian stopped short of announcing a decision but made it plain that a full review of the leadership structure was coming, and that nothing was off the table.
"From a captaincy point of view, you know, he's found it challenging, obviously, and the results reflect that," Moody said.
"And you do have to wonder whether that is a pressure that is reflected with his performance with the bat. I know that this season has been a difficult season for us, but we will reflect on it, we'll take time, we'll reflect on it. We'll consider all things.
"But certainly we haven't lived up to the expectation or the standard that we expect of ourselves. And certainly when it comes to the leadership of the franchise, it's certainly something that we'll be taking some very serious consideration to, you know, what it looks like in the future. Like every department, when you do reflect on a season, we will be making some considered decisions, but it certainly looks like that we're needing to consider a reset."
MORE: 'F***ing good team': Pant's X-rated rant forces Bishop to apologise on live TV
How did Rishabh Pant perform in IPL 2026?
The weight of being the most expensive player ever bought at an IPL auction has never been far from Pant's shoulders since joining LSG.
His batting, which once dazzled in his early IPL years, 684 runs at a strike rate of nearly 174 in 2018, and 488 at over 162 the following season, has looked a far more subdued version of itself at LSG.
Across two seasons, he has managed 581 runs at a strike rate of 135.74, figures that fall short of both his own career benchmarks and the expectations that came with his price tag.
Head coach Justin Langer also voiced his dissatisfaction with how the campaign had unfolded, though Moody was careful to distribute accountability across the whole setup rather than pinning everything on one individual.
"I think we're all responsible [for the disappointing season]," Moody said. "I don't think it's a time to point the finger at any individual.
"I think we all take accountability, and now's not the time to be apportioning blame in any particular department. We all need time to reflect on it in a calm manner, but there's certain things that we do need to address, and that will be addressed."
| Year | Innings | Runs | Avg. | S.R | H.S | 50s | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 | 269 | 24.45 | 133.17 | 118* | 1 | 1 |
| 2026 | 13 | 286 | 28.60 | 140.20 | 68* | 1 | 0 |
LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka's words ring hollow
In 2025, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka spoke about Pant leading the franchise for 14 to 15 years, winning at least five IPL titles, and eventually being spoken of in the same breath as MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma as the greatest to have led in this format.
"Surely, Rishabh Pant will play for at least 14-15 years for us; we hope for at least five IPL titles in these years. People say MI and CSK are the most successful. Mahi and Rohit are undeniably brilliant. Mark my words, after 10 years, people will say, Mahi, Rohit, and Rishabh," he had said while unveiling Pant as the captain in an event in Kolkata.
“In my belief, time will prove that he is not only the most successful player of the IPL, but he is going to be the best player of the IPL. I haven’t seen players with that kind of passion and hunger to win.”
MORE: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi decodes mystery of his viral 'A' hand gesture after destroying LSG
The Cricket News Opinion: Patience has its limits, even for a record buy
Sanjiv Goenka's faith in Pant was not irrational. The talent is undeniable, and Pant has shown what he can do at his best.
But franchise cricket does not run on potential alone, and two seasons of declining results demand honest answers. Removing the captaincy might actually free Pant to bat the way he once did without the fog of a struggling team's fortunes clouding every decision.
Sometimes the kindest thing a franchise can do for a player is take the weight off his shoulders.
To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics visit our Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) pages.
Continue reading...
