Kamal Ghorui
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 struggling top order has contributed heavily to the poor campaign, much of LSG’s troubles have revolved around the inconsistent form of captain Rishabh Pant, who was bought for a record Rs 27 crore ahead of the season.Pant had already endured a disappointing IPL 2025, scoring 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. This season, the left-handed wicketkeeper-batter has managed only 189 runs in eight matches at an average of 27.00 and a strike rate of 126.84, with just one fifty.Pant began the season opening the innings before shifting back 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 continue to surround his performances.However, LSG bowling coach Bharat Arun dismissed suggestions that the IPL price tag was affecting Pant mentally.“I don’t think the price tag has got to do anything with it. It’s just a question of, if you really look at his batting throughout, if you look at the second game that we played, he took us through the line. And I wouldn’t be too concerned about his form. It’s just a question of one innings away from getting back his form,” Arun said at the pre-match press conference ahead of LSG’s clash against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.Arun also spoke about veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, who has taken seven wickets in eight matches this season.“I think Shami’s mindset is very, very clear. On numerous occasions, he said, selection is not in my hands. But to do well is in my hands. And that’s exactly what he’s doing,” Arun said.On tearaway pacer Mayank Yadav, Arun confirmed the youngster is fully fit.“If you ask me if he’s fit, I would say yes, he’s fit and ready to go right now. He’s bowling quick and he’s back to his old ways where he started,” he said.Arun also praised young quicks Prince Yadav and Mohsin Khan for stepping up this season, while crediting Shami’s experience for helping guide the attack. On injury-prone Mohsin, Arun said the franchise had carefully managed his workload and fitness over the past few months to ensure a strong comeback.
