IPL 2026: Rishabh Pant told to give up LSG captaincy, Ex-India cricketer names replacement

NEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant’s struggles as captain of Lucknow Super Giants continued after another tough loss, this time against Kolkata Knight Riders in a Super Over.

LSG failed to chase 156, adding to a worrying run of five straight defeats this season. Their home record is even worse, with eight consecutive losses under Pant’s leadership since last year. LSG have lost 14 of their last 22 matches under Pant.

Former India batter Wasim Jaffer believes a change in leadership could help the team turn things around. He suggested that Aiden Markram should take over as captain and even laid out a preferred batting order for the side.

Pant’s captaincy struggles have also reflected in his batting. Since last season, he has scored just 458 runs in 21 innings, with only three half-centuries. Even in the latest match, his 42 wasn’t enough to guide the team home.

Jaffer feels Pant’s natural attacking game is being affected by the added responsibility.

“I feel a player like Rishabh Pant should play purely as a player. You get the best out of him when you free him up and tell him to just go out and play and win matches on his own. Don’t burden him with captaincy. I think Aiden Markram is a better captain," Jaffer said on his YouTube channel.

"He has led South Africa very successfully, he is mentally strong, very composed, and I think he can get the best out of the other players. But this doesn’t look like something that will actually happen. This is just my suggestion, but if I were there, that’s what I would do."

Jaffer didn’t hold back while assessing the team’s overall performance either.

“LSG looks completely out of place right now, it’s hard to even know what to expect from them. If I were in that dugout, the first thing I would do is make Aiden Markram the captain… That would be my top seven, and I would go with this batting order,” he said.

130546287