IPL 2026: 'Our batting is letting us down' - Rishabh Pant after 5th defeat in 7 matches

NEW DELHI: Lucknow Super Giants skipper Rishabh Pant admitted that his team’s batting collapse is becoming the biggest concern after they suffered their fifth defeat in seven matches, a 40-run loss to Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026.

“I think it is difficult to explain. Like it's definitely our batting is letting us down, but at the same time, we are disappointed as a team, as a group, but at the same time, you've got to keep finding ways. You have to look for answers inside, not outside, but that's how it is as of now," said Pant after the defeat.

"See, definitely we could have taken some time while batting and at the same time, you know, not making any excuse out there, like, you know, including myself in that, like we could have taken it a little deeper because I think the bowlers did a fantastic job, especially after the last game. As a batting group, we need to put our hand up and try to finish that job for the bowlers also.

"There is still a lot we want to look at the positive side, you know. We all know it's disappointing for us as a team, but you know, we have to keep our head high and look for answers inside and we surely know that we have enough firepower in our bowling and batting and we can still turn it around. That's what I believe in."

Pant’s comments came after another top-order failure saw LSG collapse to 119 while chasing 160.

Three of the top four batters, including Pant himself, were dismissed for ducks inside the first three overs, putting the chase in disarray.

Earlier, Ravindra Jadeja’s unbeaten 43 off 29 balls guided Rajasthan Royals to 159/6 on a tricky surface, after LSG opted to field. Jadeja later also played a key role in breaking the chase by removing Nicholas Pooran.

Mitchell Marsh’s fighting 55 was the lone bright spot for LSG, while Jofra Archer (3/20) and Nandre Burger (2/27) led the Rajasthan bowling attack.

Jadeja and Shubham Dubey’s late partnership ensured RR finished strongly and moved to second in the table, while LSG slipped further down with just two wins from seven games.