MUMBAI: Lucknow Super Giants are once again under pressure after losing six of their eight matches in IPL 2026, leaving their playoff hopes hanging in the balance.While the team’s struggling top order contributed significantly to the poor campaign, much of LSG’s problems revolved around the inconsistent form of captain Rishabh Pant, who was bought for a record Rs 27 crore a season ago.Pant has already endured a disappointing IPL 2025, scoring 269 runs in 14 matches at an average of 24.45 and a strike rate of 133.16 — his lowest return in the tournament since his debut season in 2016.
Watch
Vikram Solanki on GT strategy, pitch and team decisionsThis season, the left-handed batsman managed just 189 runs in eight matches at an average of 27.00 and a strike rate of 126.84, with just one fifty.Pant started the season opening the innings before moving back to the middle order. Despite having trained under former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh ahead of the tournament in a bid to revive his white-ball form, questions still surround his performances.However, LSG bowling coach Bharat Arun dismissed suggestions that the IPL price tag was affecting Pant mentally.“I don’t think the price tag has anything to do with it. It’s just a question if you really look at his batting all the time, if you look at the second game we played, he took us over the line. And his form wouldn’t worry me too much. It’s just a matter of one innings from him getting back into form,” Arun said at the pre-match press conference ahead of the Indian match at the Wambankhede L Stadium.Arun also spoke about veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, who has taken seven wickets in eight matches this season.“I think Shami’s thinking is very, very clear. On many occasions, he said, the choice is not in my hands. But to do well is in my hands. And that is exactly what he is doing,” Arun said.On breakaway pacer Mayank Yadav, Arun confirmed that the youngster is fully fit.“If you ask me if he’s fit, I’d say yes, he’s fit and ready to go right now. He’s bowling fast and he’s back to where he started,” he said.Arun also praised young quicks Prince Yadav and Mohsin Khan for coming on this season and credited Shami’s experience for helping lead the attack. On the injury-prone Mohsin, Arun said the franchise has carefully managed his workload and fitness over the past few months to ensure a strong comeback.
