Pressure is mounting on Rishabh Pant as Lucknow Super Giants face a disappointing IPL 2026 campaign, prompting several former cricketers to suggest a major leadership change. After a recent defeat to Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium, discussions around Pant’s role as captain have intensified.
Former players Manoj Tiwary and Rohan Gavaskar have joined Wasim Jaffer in recommending that Pant be relieved of captaincy duties. Their argument centers on allowing him to concentrate solely on his batting, where his performance has dipped this season.
Pant, who joined LSG in 2025 under owner Sanjiv Goenka, has struggled to deliver consistent performances. After scoring 269 runs last season, his current tally stands at 204 runs in nine matches, with a strike rate of 128.30 and only one half-century — numbers that fall short of expectations for a player of his caliber.
Cricket experts believe that the added responsibility of leading the side may be affecting Pant’s natural attacking game. Gavaskar highlighted that relieving him from captaincy could help him regain his rhythm, while Tiwary emphasized that LSG might benefit more if Pant focuses entirely on his batting strengths.
With the team’s playoff hopes fading, attention has also turned to potential leadership alternatives. Aiden Markram has emerged as a strong candidate. The South African T20I captain has proven leadership credentials, having guided his franchise to multiple titles in the SA20 league, along with consistent performances as a top-order batter.
While no official decision has been made, the growing consensus suggests that LSG may need to rethink their leadership strategy moving forward. Whether the franchise chooses to make a change could play a key role in shaping both Pant’s form and the team’s future in upcoming seasons.
