Lucknow Super Giantsis struggling IPL 2026 It deepened as they suffered their seventh defeat of the season on Monday, prompting sharp criticism from the captain. Rishabh pants. In a high-scoring encounter at the magnificent Wankhede Stadium, LSG failed to defend 229 and fell to Mumbai Indians by six wickets.
The defeat left LSG rooted to the bottom of the points table, intensifying scrutiny of Pant’s leadership and decisions on the field. While the team has shown flashes of brilliance with the bat, their inability to close out games has been a recurring concern. Known for his aggressive approach, Pant has come under pressure for what critics have described as inconsistent tactical calls and an inability to adapt in tight situations.
The former India all-rounder did not hold back in his assessment, pointing out that leadership is not only about intent but also about execution and game awareness. With the losses piling up, there are questions about whether Pant has been able to inspire confidence in the team or get the best out of his resources.
Despite having a similar tournament, different plans of LSG and MI
Interestingly, both LSG and Mumbai Indians have endured underwhelming campaigns this season. While LSG sit at the bottom, MI are marginally better at ninth. However, the difference in team management strategies became the main topic of discussion.
Mumbai’s approach has been characterized by flexibility and spin. The franchise has provided an opportunity for almost every member of the squad to experiment with combinations and keep the players match-ready. This proactive strategy seems to have paid dividends as MI managed to stay in the competition despite early setbacks.
In contrast, LSG have far more than a similar playing XI, even if the losses have increased. The lack of experience has drawn criticism from pundits, who believe that fresh energy and new options could have helped the side break their losing streak.
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Former cricketer questions LSG for not giving Arjun Tendulkar a chance
One of the biggest talking points of the match was the all-rounder’s continued absence Arjun Tendulkar playing XI. Despite being part of the squad and working on yorkers in the nets, Arjun is yet to win a game this season. The move did not go down well with former India all-rounder Manoj Tiwary, who raised eyebrows and questioned Pant as well as the LSG management.
Tiwary questioned this decision, especially after his youth Prince Yadav Hitting yorkers in succession, he emerged as the only economical bowler in the match, conceding just 24 runs in three overs. According to Tiwary, this should have prompted Pant to follow a similar approach to other bowlers or even consider introducing Arjun as a bowling option.
drawing comparisons with legendary IPL captains like MS Dhoni and Rohit SharmaTiwari noted that elite leaders are defined by their tactical awareness and ability to make bold decisions under pressure. He suggested that Pant still has a long way to go in this matter.
“Pant also loses in tactical moves. Shahzad Yadav was the only economical bowler in the match against Mumbai and that was because he was executing the yorkers. As a captain, you should have told the other bowlers to stick to that plan. I even saw videos posted by LSG on social media showing that Arjun Tendulkar’s bowler could bring him a net. Dhoni and Rohit Sharma are different as captains.” Tiwary told Cricbuzz.
