Rishabh Pant’s captaincy woes are becoming increasingly evident as LSG struggles in IPL 2026. Sanjiv Goenka’s response highlights the mounting pressure.
“It’s been a tough season for us, and there is no running away from that, but one person for us who has had the most difficult time is our owner, Mr Goenka; he’s one of those guys,” said Rishabh Pant after another disappointing match for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). This statement reflects the growing pressure on both Pant and the team’s performance in IPL 2026.
Currently, LSG has only two wins in eight matches, leading to significant criticism of Pant’s leadership. His individual performance hasn’t been stellar either, with just 204 runs in nine matches and a highest score of 68 not out. The pressure seems to be affecting his batting as well.
That context matters because former players are now suggesting that LSG should consider removing Pant from his captaincy role. Manoj Tiwary stated, “Rishabh Pant should be released from captaincy pressure,” emphasizing that this burden might be hindering his overall game.
Meanwhile, Sanjiv Goenka, the franchise owner, finds himself under stress as well. Following the BJP’s recent electoral success in West Bengal—where they secured over 205 out of 294 assembly seats—Goenka expressed hope for the future. He remarked, “The dreams, hopes, and aspirations of the people of Bengal have been reignited with this unprecedented result.”
The juxtaposition of Goenka’s optimism against LSG’s struggles creates a complex narrative. As LSG prepares to face Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on May 7, all eyes will be on whether a change in leadership might be on the horizon.
