IPL 2026: Rishabh Pant's captaincy 'challenging', LSG eyes leadership reset
Synopsis
LSG finished IPL 2026 dead last with 10 losses, and Director of Cricket Tom Moody has all but confirmed a captaincy rethink — saying Rishabh Pant found leadership 'challenging' and that results reflect it. With Pant also averaging just 28.36 with the bat this season, the franchise faces a fundamental reset question: is he the right man to lead, or even anchor, this side?
Key Takeaways
Lucknow Super Giants finished IPL 2026 in last place with 10 losses , missing the Playoffs for the second straight year.
Director of Cricket Tom Moody said Rishabh Pant has found captaincy 'challenging' and that results reflect that.
Pant has lost 18 of 28 matches as LSG captain across the last two IPL seasons.
Pant scored just 312 runs this season at an average of 28.36 .
Moody signalled a 'reset' is needed, with captaincy among the areas under 'very serious consideration.' No formal captaincy change has been announced; the franchise review is ongoing.
Lucknow Super Giants Director of Cricket Tom Moody has openly acknowledged that captain Rishabh Pant has found the leadership role 'challenging,' with the franchise now signalling a serious review of its captaincy ahead of the IPL 2027 season. Moody's remarks came after LSG's final game of IPL 2026 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday, 24 May — a heavy defeat to Punjab Kings (PBKS) that sealed the team's last-place finish on the points table.
A Season to Forget for LSG
Lucknow Super Giants ended IPL 2026 with their 10th loss of the season, finishing bottom of the standings and missing the Playoffs for the second consecutive year. The defeat to Punjab Kings also kept PBKS alive in the race for a Playoffs berth, underlining how much was at stake in what became LSG's final outing.
The numbers tell a grim story. Since the start of last season, Pant has captained LSG in 28 matches, losing 18 of them. His struggles with the bat have mirrored the team's collective slide — the wicketkeeper-batter managed just 312 runs this season at an average of 28.36, well below the standards expected of a top-order anchor.
What Moody Said
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Moody did not shy away from addressing Pant's captaincy directly. 'From a captaincy point of view, you know, he's found it challenging, obviously, and the results reflect that. And you do have to wonder whether that is a pressure that is reflected with his performance with the bat,' Moody said.
He added that the franchise would take time to assess every department before arriving at decisions. 'We will reflect on it, we'll take time, we'll reflect on it. We'll consider all things,' he said, before signalling a possible structural overhaul. 'Certainly when it comes to the leadership of the franchise, it's certainly something that we'll be taking some very serious consideration to... it certainly looks like that we're needing to consider a reset.'
Collective Accountability, Not Individual Blame
Despite the pointed remarks on captaincy, Moody was careful to frame the season's failure as a collective one rather than pinning it on any single individual. 'I think we're all responsible [for the disappointing season],' he said. 'I don't think it's a time to point the finger at any individual. I think we all take accountability.'
Moody stressed that the review would be measured and calm, covering every department of the franchise — coaching, selection, and leadership alike. 'There are certain things that we do need to address, and will be addressed,' he said.
What Happens Next
With the IPL 2026 season now concluded for LSG, the franchise enters what Moody described as a period of 'considered decisions.' A captaincy change before the IPL 2027 mega auction or retention cycle remains a live possibility, though no formal announcement has been made. The review will likely also encompass Pant's role as a batter and the broader squad composition. How the franchise handles this reset will be closely watched, given the significant investment made in Pant as a marquee signing.
Point of View
Not just a title change. LSG made a massive bet on Pant as both captain and batting cornerstone; two consecutive last-place finishes suggest that bet has not paid off. The harder question the franchise must answer is whether the problem is the captain, the squad built around him, or the coaching and support structure — because changing one without fixing the others rarely works in franchise cricket.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Tom Moody say Rishabh Pant found captaincy 'challenging'?
Moody made the remark after LSG's final IPL 2026 game, citing the team's results as evidence that Pant has struggled with the leadership role. He also noted that the captaincy pressure may have affected Pant's batting form this season.
How did Lucknow Super Giants finish IPL 2026?
LSG finished last on the IPL 2026 points table, suffering their 10th loss of the season in their final game against Punjab Kings on 24 May. It was the second consecutive season in which the franchise missed the Playoffs.
What is Rishabh Pant's captaincy record with LSG?
Since taking over as captain, Pant has led LSG in 28 matches across two IPL seasons, losing 18 of them. The team has failed to qualify for the Playoffs in both editions under his leadership.
Is Rishabh Pant likely to be replaced as LSG captain?
No formal decision has been announced, but Moody indicated that leadership is under 'very serious consideration' and that the franchise is looking at a 'reset.' A captaincy change before IPL 2027 remains a live possibility.
How did Rishabh Pant bat in IPL 2026?
Pant managed 312 runs in IPL 2026 at an average of 28.36 — a below-par return for a player expected to anchor LSG's batting lineup.
