Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant, right, with Mohammed Shami (PTI Photo)
Mohammed Shami and Lucknow Super Giants skipper Rishabh Pant shared an intimate moment during net practice ahead of their IPL 2026 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, a clip that has since gone viral on social media.LSG enter the competition with renewed confidence after registering their first win of the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad, bouncing back strongly from their opening defeat to Delhi Capitals. Both Shami and Pant played key roles in this win, showing their impact with both ball and bat.During the practice session, Pant was seen hitting the ball cleanly, sending several shots into the stands. However, after he missed a delivery, Shami rudely said: “Bahar nikal kar le sakta” (You could have come out and hit it).“Lappa to main har ball par ghuma dunga” (I can swing hard at every ball), Pant responded in his usual confident style.Al-Shami’s support wins heartsWhat followed was an enlightening moment that caught fans’ attention. Shami, in a supportive tone, said to Pant: “Tu hamara sheer hai, tu kuch bhi kar… Humm tujhe nichi nahi gurni ding, chah tu kuch bhi kar.”(You are our lion, do whatever you want, we will not let you fall no matter what happens).The exchange reflects the strong camaraderie within the LSG camp, highlighting the trust and mutual encouragement between the senior players and the captain.
Match review – KKR vs LSG
Kolkata Knight Riders, struggling for form and ideas, may make big changes as they bid for their maiden win in IPL 2026 against a confident Lucknow Super Giants at Eden Gardens. A lot of focus will be on Mohammed Shami, who is coming off a brilliant spell and can exploit KKR’s fragile system in advantageous circumstances.KKR’s batting was inconsistent, with the opening pair failing to deliver, while their bowling unit also lacked impact. On the other hand, LSG’s strength lies in its balanced attack, including Shami and a strong supporting cast, which has dominated the power play this season.LSG also carries the momentum with Rishabh Pant’s recent unbeaten 68 and a strong ranking featuring Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram. Overall, it’s a clash between a struggling KKR side and a confident and in-form LSG unit.
