Lucknow Super Giants‘ dramatic Super Done loss for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026 The former South African fast bowler drew heavy criticism Dale Steyn clearly questioning the team management’s sending decision Nicholas Pooran batted first in the tie-breaker.
LSG suffered yet another painful defeat at the Ekana Stadium on Sunday, April 26, as KKR held their nerve to push Lucknow into further trouble. The loss marked LSG’s fifth consecutive defeat of the season and dropped them to the bottom of the points table, putting serious pressure on captain Rishabh Pant and his side.
Nicholas Pura’s struggle continues in IPL 2026
Pura’s tough IPL 2026 campaign continued into the night. The left-handed batsman managed just nine runs in the main innings before being dismissed by the mystery spinner. Varun Chakraborty. As the match went into the Super Over, LSG once again relied on Puran to perform under pressure, but the result was even more disappointing.
Veteran spinner Sunil Narine He got him out for a duck in the first ball, immediately leaving Lucknow on the back foot. It was a familiar story for Pooran, who now has an unsettling record in IPL Super Overs. In his three Super Over appearances in the league, he was dismissed for a duck each time.
His overall numbers this season were also far from convincing, with just 82 runs at an average of 10.25, making the decision to send him in first at such a high-pressure moment all the more puzzling.
Dale Steyn calls it a huge tactical error
Speaking after the match, Steyn did not hold back in his assessment. He felt LSG had better options and saw the move as a serious tactical error at a crucial stage of the tournament.
According to Steyn, the players like it Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Panteven Mukul Choudhary would be stronger options given their current form and confidence levels.
He pointed out that Pooran had not looked comfortable throughout the season and asking him to perform immediately in the Super Over was a gamble that just didn’t make sense. Stein even suggested that the prone person might lack the confidence needed for such a moment at the moment.
“Three Super Overs, three ducks for Nicholas Pooran in the IPL. So, yes, would you send someone else in? Sure. You have players like Mitch Marsh, Rishabh Pant and Mukul Choudhary. Given Pooran’s recent form, there were other options. He hasn’t scored more than 30 this season, but I know he hasn’t scored more than 40. To run you out on the first ball in a Super Over is almost a criminal decision.” Steyn said on Star Sports.
The former pacer emphasized that teams fighting for survival in the tournament cannot take emotional or risky decisions. Instead, they must rely on players who time the ball well and show confidence in pressure situations.
“It could have gone either way, but at this stage of the season, when you’re desperate to win, you don’t send in a mortician who hasn’t delivered all season. You go with good hitters, guys you trust to clear the ropes or at least come back to get the job done.” Steyn added.
LSG’s season hangs by a thread
Steyn also said that although Pooran remains a world-class player, form is very important in T20 cricket, especially when every game becomes a must-win contest.
Lucknow’s repeated mistakes are costing them now. Five consecutive defeats have left their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, and pressure within the camp is mounting fast.
The franchise will now focus on the massive clash against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on May 4. With time running out, LSG must find quick answers if they hope to salvage their IPL 2026 campaign without losing it completely.
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