Lucknow Super Giants are already under pressure at the start of IPL 2026 and attention has quickly shifted to their two biggest signings, Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran. With a combined price tag of Rs 28 crore, expectations were always high, but the returns so far have not matched the investment.
LSG have only managed to win twice from six matches and are at the bottom of the table. Their batting lacked consistency and the constant changes in the top order didn’t help. The bigger problem was Pant and Pooran’s limited impact in key situations. The issue was highlighted by former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull, who said that LSG’s overseas core had not performed as expected.
“Their biggest problem is three overseas players. You have three overseas batsmen in your top five. One of them, Markram, has done a couple of performances. Marsh hasn’t done much and Pooran absolutely nothing. That’s your biggest problem,” Doull told CricBuzz.
“Pant won them one game with the bat and nothing else. You spent (almost) 50 crores on two players, Pant and Pooran, who won you one game. Almost half your purse for two players who won you one game,” he added.
LSG now face Rajasthan Royals at home on April 22, a game that could determine the direction of their season. With expectations rising, the spotlight will once again be on their biggest names.
TROUSERS AND PORAN YOUR PRICE PRESSURE
Pant has scored 147 runs in six matches at an average of 29.40 and a strike rate of 136.11. His only major contribution was an unbeaten 68 against Sunrisers Hyderabad which helped LSG secure one of the two wins.
Pooran’s numbers were more disturbing. He managed just 51 runs in six innings at an average of 8.50 with a strike rate of 79.68.
Adding to the problem was the instability of LSG’s batting. The team tried several combinations, moving Pant between opener and No.3 while rotating Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh at the top. Pooran was also moved up the order but the changes did not work.
For the team that invested Rs 27 crore in Pant and Rs 21 crore in Pooran, returns have been limited so far. With the season entering a crucial stage, LSG need both players to step up and justify their price tags.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
22 Apr 2026 14:20 IST
