Bangar flags Pant's captaincy clarity after LSG's sixth straight loss to MI
Synopsis
Sanjay Bangar has zeroed in on a captain's most elusive skill — projecting calm amid chaos. With Rishabh Pant's bat silent (204 runs in 9 innings) and LSG bleeding six straight losses, the former Indian cricketer argues that a captain's body language and communication directly reflect their batting form. Without runs, composure becomes performance theatre — and Pant's is unconvincing.
Key Takeaways
Rishabh Pant's captaincy scrutinised after LSG's sixth consecutive defeat to Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on May 5 .
LSG posted 228/5 but MI chased in 18.4 overs , led by Rohit Sharma ( 84 ) and Ryan Rickelton ( 83 ).
Sanjay Bangar flagged gaps in Pant's clarity, composure, and communication as captain.
Pant has accumulated 204 runs in 9 innings at 25.50 average in IPL 2026 .
LSG sit with 4 points from 9 matches , near the bottom of the points table.
Rishabh Pant's captaincy has come under scrutiny following Lucknow Super Giants' sixth consecutive defeat, a six-wicket loss to Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday, May 5. Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar has pointed to a lack of clarity and composure in the wicketkeeper-batter's leadership, linking his communication lapses to inconsistent batting form.
How the match unfolded
LSG posted a competitive 228/5, powered by Nicholas Pooran's explosive 63 off 21 balls. However, Mumbai chased down the target comfortably in 18.4 overs, riding a dominant 143-run opening partnership between Rohit Sharma (84) and Ryan Rickelton (83).
Bangar's assessment of Pant's captaincy
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Bangar argued that a captain must project stability even under pressure. "If you are scoring runs, I think he would have been far much more clear in terms of his decision making and in whatever he is communicating," Bangar said, emphasising that batting form directly influences leadership perception.
"You know that inside you are boiling or inside you are hurting, but still at the forefront, you have to actually fake a composure, and that is something which has been lacking so far in whatever we have seen of Rishabh Pant while communicating with the broadcasters," he added.
Pant's IPL 2026 numbers
Pant has struggled with the bat in IPL 2026, accumulating just 204 runs across nine innings at an average of 25.50 and a strike rate of 128.30. His sole half-century — an unbeaten 68 against Sunrisers Hyderabad — delivered a rare win for the franchise.
LSG's mounting crisis
LSG remain rooted near the foot of the points table with just four points from nine matches. The consecutive defeats have intensified calls for tactical clarity and emotional resilience from Pant, who is navigating the dual pressures of captaincy and personal form in his first season leading the franchise.
Point of View
Every tactical call becomes suspect, every on-field instruction reads as desperation. Pant's problem is not just that LSG are losing; it is that he is losing alongside them, and the franchise's body language reflects it. Without a personal batting resurgence, no amount of tactical tinkering will restore the authority a captain needs.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Sanjay Bangar criticise Rishabh Pant's captaincy?
Bangar flagged a lack of clarity, composure, and consistent communication from Pant as captain. He argued that Pant's poor batting form (204 runs in 9 innings) is affecting his decision-making and the stability he projects to the team and broadcasters.
What was the result of LSG vs Mumbai Indians on May 5?
Mumbai Indians defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 6 wickets. LSG posted 228/5, but MI chased the target in 18.4 overs, driven by a 143-run opening stand between Rohit Sharma (84) and Ryan Rickelton (83). It was LSG's sixth consecutive loss.
How has Rishabh Pant performed with the bat in IPL 2026?
Pant has accumulated 204 runs across 9 innings at an average of 25.50 and a strike rate of 128.30. His only half-century — an unbeaten 68 against Sunrisers Hyderabad — resulted in a win for LSG.
What is LSG's current position in the IPL 2026 standings?
LSG are near the bottom of the points table with just 4 points from 9 matches, having lost six consecutive games.
