The Indian Premier League 2026 collision between Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants became a talking point not only for the action on the field, but also for the intense reaction that followed online. LSG captain Rishabh pants faced heavy criticism from fans after another difficult outing with the bat, raising concerns about his form this season.
KKR post a competitive total after a strong batting display
After winning the toss, Lucknow opted to bowl first, hoping to restrict KKR on what looked like a good batting surface. However, the hosts took full advantage of the conditions and posted a competitive total of 181/4 in 20 overs.
KKR’s batting showed composure and attacking intent throughout the innings, keeping the scoreboard ticking over. All in all, putting pressure on LSG’s batting line-up to perform under lights, it made for an exciting chase.
Rishabh Pant gets cheap during a crucial chase
Chasing 182, LSG needed a solid contribution from captain Pant. But things did not go as planned. Pant was dismissed for just 10 runs in the 9th over, a turning point in the innings.
Face to face Cameron GreenPant struggled against a sharp, rising delivery. Trying to make an aggressive shot, he lost control and ended up putting the ball over. The capture was completed safely, leaving LSG in a difficult position.
The dismissal highlighted a recurring problem in Pant’s recent performances – his inconsistency at crucial moments – that has now become a major concern for the franchise.
Pant entered IPL 2026 with high expectations after being bought for a record ₹27 crore, making him the most expensive player in the history of the tournament. While there have been flashes of brilliance, its overall performances haven’t consistently matched the hype. Fans and analysts alike began to question whether Pant was worth the hefty price tag. His inability to anchor shots or finish plays, especially in high-pressure pursuits like this one, only heightened the scrutiny.
Also WATCH: Digvesh Rathi’s stunning boundary catch sends Finn Allen packing in KKR vs LSG IPL 2026 clash
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Life cycle of Rishabh Pant pic.twitter.com/NPnFuV13AV
— JJ (@IdliHaterr) April 9, 2026
Pooran is not your finisher, Lucknow Super Giants. He’s your #3 hitter.
Rishabh Pant stop these over-the-top stunts by coming to #3.
Bring on Josh Inglis and assign him a finishing role.You are clueless 🤡
— ®️🦁 (@nav_een_07) April 9, 2026
Rishabh pants has reached a stage where batting position doesn’t matter to him. He is evil everywhere.
— Rajneesh Singh 🦇 (@CFC_Palmer2O) April 9, 2026
How a player like Rishabh Pant can play white ball cricket at the international level is still a mystery to me.
Blud is equally talented like Abhishek Porel or KS Bharat then how could he fool Indians 🤡 https://t.co/0o5ypAfB5j
— s. (@KLfied_) April 9, 2026
https://twitter.com/Shahhoon1/status/2042290114211258825
He got so drunk that he went and bought Rishabh’s pants for 27 cr.#KKRvsLSG
— Dragon (@Nick_Nova1412) April 9, 2026
Rishabh Pant is under pressure. He should leave LSG. Goenka is breathing down his neck which affects his performance. Or should he give the captaincy to Nicky P #KKRvsLSG
— Thomson Dcruz (@DcruzThomson) April 9, 2026
Can you believe it? After being bought for 27 crores, Rishabh Pant has struggled with both batting and captaincy in the last two years. 👀
Today when the team needed him the most, Rishabh Pant got out after scoring just 10 runs off 9 balls.
Last season was already one of them… pic.twitter.com/4P2Vu6512C
— Mention Cricket (@MentionCricket) April 9, 2026
CAMERON GREEN WHAT A START – RISHABH TAKES PANTS IN THE OPENING.
— Rupesh Suthar (@FuduuAcademy) April 9, 2026
Rishabh Pant generational fraud
9 off 10 ball shooting
27 crore and still worthless #KKRvsLSG pic.twitter.com/08sOGHdwtq— Unfiltered Work (@SG_SSamson) April 9, 2026
Rishabh pants: you are Age Cheater bro
Vaibhav suryavanshi: I may be a cheater of age, but I’m not a cheater like you, Honey! pic.twitter.com/3LmHS8IGSO
— Rahul Raj (@RahulRajonX) April 9, 2026
Rishabh Pant is the only batsman to play 80+ balls in this IPL with 06. 😭🤡 pic.twitter.com/qnEEZEukY4
— Kunal Yadav (@Kunal_KLR) April 9, 2026
Rishabh Pant batted a lot like Arjun Tendulkar and he is also a bowler.
Na Pant is batting as captain
The first 3 combinations of last season were ruined, what were you hoping for?
Who will abuse Goenka for negative PR?#LSG
— OUT BHAI (@OutBhai) April 9, 2026
Rishabh Pant is such a finished cricketer, neither a good batsman nor a good captain. He did not justify even 2 crores out of the cost of 27 crores.
I wonder how he played 74 games for India, that bad, Ishan and Samson were always better white ball players than him!… pic.twitter.com/iwu7CckqPn
— Nafees (@Nafees_22) April 9, 2026
Cam Green bowled for the 1st time in this IPL and took the wicket of Rishabh Pant for 10(9). pic.twitter.com/fOmTm3zKck
— Inside Out (@CricCoffee1) April 9, 2026
Unadkat was beaten in one game and suddenly we forgot how old the white ball player Rishabh Pant was. pic.twitter.com/I3mQhmxxwV
— Anurag™ (@Samsoncentral) April 9, 2026
Also READ: IPL 2026: Here’s why KKR spinner Varun Chakraborty won’t play today’s game against LSG
