IPL 2026: What’s gone wrong for LSG? Pant’s form, captaincy calls, and batting woes derail campaign

“We played a practice game here two days ago, and Rishi… maybe 95 off 40 or 30 balls—you’re just looking at it and you go, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s Rishabh Pant at his very best,’” Langer said.

Despite that reassurance, match performances have not followed, leaving Pant under growing pressure with each passing game.

Bowling: decent on paper, leaking at key moments
On paper, LSG boast one of the stronger bowling attacks in the league, with experienced internationals and exciting domestic talent. And statistically, the numbers are not alarming at first glance.

LSG have conceded 200-plus totals only twice in nine games — a respectable figure in a season where high scores have been frequent. Their overall economy rate as a unit has hovered around the mid-8s, indicating decent control in phases.

Young pacer Prince Yadav has been a standout performer, picking up 13 wickets in nine matches at an economy of 8.06, placing him among the top wicket-takers this season. Mohsin Khan has also chipped in with 10 wickets in just five matches, albeit at a higher economy rate of 12.

However, the cracks have appeared in crucial moments. LSG conceded 254/7 against Punjab Kings — the highest total against them this season — and failed to defend 228 against Mumbai Indians. Their death bowling has been inconsistent, often allowing opponents to accelerate dramatically in the final overs.

Batting collapses define the season
If one area truly explains LSG’s downfall, it is their batting inconsistency. The warning signs were evident from the very first match when they were bowled out for 141 at home. Even in victories, the batting unit looked fragile, scraping through chases in the final over.

Across nine matches, LSG have crossed the 180-run mark only three times, while also being bowled out thrice. Their average team total has hovered around the mid-160s — well below par in a season dominated by big scores.

After their early wins, the batting unit collapsed repeatedly. Scores of 164/5 and 146 all out were comfortably chased down by opponents. Against Rajasthan Royals, they were bowled out for 119 while chasing 160, highlighting their inability to handle pressure.

Even in matches where the batting clicked, such as the game against Punjab Kings where they chased a massive 254, the effort fell short due to the sheer scale of the target. Against Kolkata Knight Riders, they failed to finish off and tied the match instead. And lost in the Super Over, managing just one run — a moment that summed up their struggles under pressure.

Nicholas Pooran is totally out-of-form except for a 21-ball 63 against MI on Monday. Mitchell Marsh leads the scoring charts for LSG with 256 runs at a strike rate of 139.13, followed by Aiden Markram with 224 runs. However, both are outside the top 20 in the Orange Cap standings — reflecting the team’s overall underperformance.

Constant changes and a season slipping away fast
One of the defining features of LSG’s campaign has been instability. From batting-order reshuffles to changes in team combinations, the side has struggled to settle on a consistent approach.

The opening pair has changed multiple times, the middle order has been shuffled frequently, and even bowling roles have lacked clarity. This lack of continuity has prevented players from finding rhythm and building partnerships.

So, LSG’s struggles stem from a combination of factors: underperformance from key players, lack of batting stability, inability to close out games, and lapses in crucial moments with the ball.

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Despite occasional bright spots — like Prince Yadav’s emergence and isolated batting performances — the team has failed to click collectively. With six straight defeats and the toughest part of their schedule still ahead, the season is rapidly slipping away.

Unless Rishabh Pant and his team produce an extraordinary turnaround, IPL 2026 is set to be remembered as a campaign where almost everything that could go wrong, did go wrong for Lucknow Super Giants.