Ex-cricketer slam Pant for poor performance

Lucknow Super Giants won the last ball thriller against Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday, debutant Mukul Choudhary pulled the chase single handedly. Although despite LSG’s win former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif has criticised Rishabh Pant stating that the skipper must improve his game awareness and take greater responsibility. Pant endured another underwhelming outing, scoring just 10 runs, as LSG’s top order struggled. However, the team managed to pull off a thrilling three-wicket victory in Kolkata. Pant’s form has been inconsistent this season, with two low scores surrounding a solitary half-century in his first three matches. Speaking on Star Sports, Kaif highlighted the lack of consistency and stressed that an experienced player like Pant should take charge of the chase and bat till the end.”…the team needed him to stay till the end,” Kaif said. “He is an experienced player and has been playing in the IPL since 2016. The situation when he came in wasn’t very difficult, LSG had already scored 41 in the first five overs. One batter needed to take responsibility and guide the chase, and that role was meant for Pant.”Kaif further emphasised the importance of leadership, stating that a captain must lead from the front.“As captain, if you don’t take responsibility, you cannot help your team win games. Yes, he did well against SRH, but he needs consistency. One good innings followed by failures isn’t enough. He must read the match situation better and understand when to accelerate.”He also advised Pant to focus on building his innings and spending more time at the crease.“A captain’s role in a chase is to stay till the end, and that is something Pant needs to work on,” Kaif added.Lucknow Super Giants pulled off a thrilling last-ball victory against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, chasing down 182 in dramatic fashion. Batting first, KKR posted a competitive 181/4, with useful contributions across the order. However, they couldn’t fully capitalise despite a solid platform.In reply, LSG found themselves under pressure midway through the chase, but a stunning lower-order fightback turned the game around. Ayush Badoni anchored the innings with a composed half-century, while debutant Mukul Choudhary stole the show with a fearless 54 off 27 balls.The match went down to the final ball, where Choudhary held his nerve to seal a memorable win for LSG. His knock not only completed the chase but also announced his arrival on the big stage.

Lucknow Super Giants’ captain Rishabh Pant, right, with Mohammed Shami (PTI Photo)

Mohammed Shami and Lucknow Super Giants skipper Rishabh Pant shared a heartwarming moment during net practice ahead of their IPL 2026 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, a clip that has since gone viral on social media.LSG head into the contest with renewed confidence after registering their first win of the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad, bouncing back strongly from their opening defeat to Delhi Capitals. Both Shami and Pant played key roles in that victory, showcasing their impact with both ball and bat.During a practice session, Pant was seen striking the ball cleanly, sending several shots into the stands. However, after missing one delivery, Shami cheekily remarked, “Bahar nikal kar le sakta” (you could have stepped out and hit it).Pant responded in his usual confident style, saying, “Lappa to main har ball par ghuma dunga” (I can swing hard at every ball).Shami’s Support Wins HeartsWhat followed was a wholesome moment that caught fans’ attention. Shami, in a supportive tone, told Pant: “Tu hamara sher hai, tu kuch bhi kar… hum tujhe neeche nahi girne denge, chahe tu kuch bhi kar.”(You are our lion, do whatever you want… we won’t let you fall, no matter what.)The exchange reflected strong camaraderie within the LSG camp, highlighting the trust and encouragement shared between senior players and the captain.

Match Preview – KKR vs LSG

Kolkata Knight Riders, struggling for form and ideas, may make major changes as they chase their first win of IPL 2026 against a confident Lucknow Super Giants at Eden Gardens. Much attention will be on Mohammed Shami, who is coming off a brilliant spell and could exploit KKR’s fragile top order in helpful conditions.KKR’s batting has been inconsistent, with their opening pair failing to deliver, while their bowling unit has also lacked impact. In contrast, LSG’s strength lies in their balanced attack, including Shami and a strong supporting cast, which has dominated the powerplay this season.LSG also carry momentum with Rishabh Pant’s recent unbeaten 68 and a solid top order featuring Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram. Overall, it’s a clash between a struggling KKR side and a confident, in-form LSG unit.

Kolkata Knight Riders cricketers during a training session at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. (ANI Photo)

KOLKATA: Even earning the first point in this IPL could not bring a smile on the faces of those in the Kolkata Knight Riders camp.Despite the one point gained from the washout against Punjab Kings, the 3.4 overs of play on Monday highlighted some added concerns. Struggling to get their house in order, KKR opted to take some bold calls by leaving out Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine. However, the outcome of that decision remained inconclusive, although it is likely that they will be back in action against Lucknow Super Giants at the Eden Gardens on Thursday.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!However, another spell of rain is forecast on match day. A washout is unlikely to help the sides, both of whom are trying to get their campaign going.After losing their first game, LSG did record a victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last match but they made heavy weather of a rather simple chase.In spite of having a number of power-hitters in their lineup, the team has not really fired on expected lines. Even skipper Rishabh Pant played an uncharacteristic innings, although in a winning cause.

However, both teams are sweating over the form of their overseas batters. Finn Allen and Cameron Green continued to struggle and got dismissed even in some 15 minutes of play on Monday.The team might play Rovman Powell, who did not get a chance to establish his case in the washed-out game.LSG’s top order too has failed to give the side the right momentum with Aiden Markram, Michell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran yet to fire. On the bowling front, injury issues have hurt both sides before the start of the tournament. While LSG wait on their leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga as he recover from his hamstring injury, KKR are hopeful of getting pacer Matheesha Pathirana soon.

Rishabh Pant and Sanjiv Goenka (X)

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has weighed in strongly on the growing scrutiny surrounding Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka, cautioning that repeated on-field interactions with players could disrupt the team’s internal balance. The debate intensified after Lucknow’s defeat to Delhi Capitals, where Goenka was seen in a visibly animated discussion with skipper Rishabh Pant. The visuals quickly went viral, drawing comparisons to the widely discussed fallout with KL Rahul during the 2024 season. In an attempt to control the narrative, LSG later released what they described as an “unfiltered” clip of the interaction. However, the move did little to silence speculation, with some fans questioning the authenticity of the footage and suggesting it may not have been the original exchange. Reacting to the situation, Vaughan criticised the optics of such conversations taking place in public view immediately after matches, stressing that even harmless discussions can be misinterpreted. “I’m intrigued by this franchise, I must admit. I look from quite far away, and I keep seeing things on social media, and I see the owner on the pitch with Rishabh, with Tom Moody, Justin Langer. I hate seeing that. I just hate seeing it after one game on the pitch. You can have those conversations in private. And even if they’re nice conversations, I just don’t understand them because what you’re doing is leading people to suggest that other things are said in that group that maybe aren’t. It might have just been a fun conversation, who knows? But yeah, they’re an interesting franchise. But I think the Lucknow wheels could get quite loose quite quickly,” he said on Cricbuzz. Vaughan further emphasised the importance of clarity within the leadership group, particularly around Pant’s role, suggesting that any decision should be backed consistently rather than changed frequently. “Often quotes are taken out of context, but if there is even a hint of confusion in the group, then clarity is key. If the decision is for Rishabh to take on that role alongside Mitch, it should be backed for five or six games,” he added. Interestingly, Pant responded on the field in LSG’s very next outing against Sunrisers Hyderabad. After a modest return against Delhi, the skipper produced a composed yet authoritative unbeaten 68 off 50 balls to guide his side home in a tense chase of 157. The innings stood out not just for the result but for the control Pant showed. On a slightly slow surface, he balanced caution with aggression, finishing the game in style by taking on Jaydev Unadkat in the final over when 9 runs were needed. Two crisp boundaries, including a forehand-like slap and a lofted drive, sealed a five-wicket win with one ball to spare. Earlier in the match, Mohammed Shami had set up the victory with a masterful spell of 2 for 9, dismantling SRH’s top order with clever variations and relentless accuracy. Despite a strong recovery from Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy, SRH’s total of 156 proved insufficient. Pant’s knock, coupled with Shami’s brilliance, helped LSG regain momentum, but off-field questions around leadership dynamics and management involvement continue to linger as the season progresses.