Mumbai: Lucknow Super Giants are once again under pressure after losing six of their eight matches in IPL 2026, leaving their playoff hopes hanging by a thread.While the team’s faltering high form contributed significantly to the poor season, much of LSG’s woes revolved around the inconsistent form of skipper Rishabh Pant, who was bought for a record Rs 27 crore ahead of the season.Pant has already endured a disappointing performance in IPL 2025, where he scored 269 runs in 14 matches at an average of 24.45 and a strike rate of 133.16 – his lowest return in the tournament after his debut season in 2016.
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This season, the left-handed wicket-keeper has managed just 189 runs in eight matches at an average of 27.00 and a strike rate of 126.84, with just one fifty.Pant started the season by opening the innings before returning to the middle order. Despite training under former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh ahead of the tournament in a bid to revive his white-ball form, questions still surround his performance.However, LSG bowling coach Bharath Arun dismissed suggestions that the IPL price was affecting Pant mentally.“I don’t think Price should do anything with him. It’s just a matter of, if you really look at his batting throughout, and if you look at the second game we played, he took us over the line. And I wouldn’t be too worried about his form. It’s just a matter of one run away from getting his form back,” Aaron said in the pre-match press conference ahead of LSG’s match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.
Aaron also spoke about the veteran player
Muhammad Al-Shami
Who has taken seven wickets in eight matches this season.“I think Shami’s mentality is very clear. On many occasions, he has said that the choice is not in my hands. But doing well is in my hands. And that is exactly what he is doing,” Arun said.On Terwai Mayank Yadav, Arun confirmed that the youngster is fully fit.“If you ask me if he is fit, I would say yes, he is fit and ready to play now.
“He is bowling fast and is back to his old ways where he started,” he said.Arun also praised young players Prince Yadav and Mohsin Khan for stepping up this season, while lauding Shami’s experience in helping guide the attack. Regarding injury-prone Mohsen, Arun said the team has carefully managed his workload and fitness over the past few months to ensure a strong return.