“It’s been a tough season for us, and there is no running away from that, but one person for us who has had the most difficult time is our owner, Mr Goenka; he’s one of those guys,” said Rishabh Pant, reflecting on the challenges faced by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2026. As of May 4, LSG has achieved only two wins in eight matches, raising questions about Pant’s effectiveness as captain.
During the current season, Rishabh Pant has scored 204 runs in nine matches, with a highest score of 68 not out. However, his batting performance has not translated into team success. LSG has suffered from a streak of six consecutive losses, which has led former players like Manoj Tiwary to suggest that LSG should consider removing Pant from the captaincy.
The team’s struggles coincide with Sanjiv Goenka’s increasing frustration. As the owner, he expressed hope for brighter days ahead following the BJP’s significant victory in the West Bengal elections, where they secured over 205 out of 294 assembly seats. This political context adds another layer to the pressure on LSG and its leadership.
Key statistics from IPL 2026:
- LSG has won only two matches out of eight played.
- Rishabh Pant’s total runs stand at 204 across nine matches.
- The team faces a critical match against RCB on May 7, 2026.
With mounting pressure on both Rishabh Pant and Sanjiv Goenka, the upcoming match against RCB could be pivotal. A poor performance may accelerate discussions about potential changes in leadership within the franchise.
