CricketMAN2 brings you a simple update on Lucknow Super Giants’ poor run in IPL 2026 and the growing debate around captaincy.
After another loss, questions are being raised about whether Rishabh Pant should continue as captain or focus only on his batting.
LSG Struggling in IPL 2026
LSG are having a tough season. They have won only 2 out of 8 matches and are sitting near the bottom of the points table.
The team has looked inconsistent. Their plans are not clear, and roles of players keep changing. In pressure situations, their decisions have not worked well.
This has led to serious questions about leadership and team strategy.
Wasim Jaffer Suggests Captaincy Change
Former cricketer Wasim Jaffer has suggested a big change.
He believes Aiden Markram should be made captain. According to him, this will allow Pant to play freely as a batter without pressure.
Jaffer said Markram is a calm and experienced leader who can improve the team’s performance.
Suggested LSG Batting Order
Jaffer also shared a possible playing order for better balance:
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Aiden Markram |
| 2 | Mitchell Marsh |
| 3 | Nicholas Pooran |
| 4 | Rishabh Pant |
| 5 | Ayush Badoni |
| 6 | Abdul Samad |
| 7 | Mukul Choudhary |
This combination focuses on strong top-order batting and flexibility in the middle order.
Why Pant is Under Pressure
Pant is facing pressure not just because of team results but also due to decision-making on the field.
The team has looked confused in key moments. This has increased the talk that he should step down as captain and focus on scoring runs.
Pant’s IPL Captaincy Record
Here is a quick look at Pant’s record as captain:
| Category | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | Win % | Loss % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 65 | 31 | 32 | 2 | 47.69 | 49.23 |
| At LSG | 22 | 8 | 13 | 1 | 36.36 | 59.09 |
Note: Super Over results are counted as ties.
These numbers show that LSG have struggled more under his leadership.
Also See : IPL 2026 Points Table Update After KKR vs LSG Match 38
Pant’s Batting: Captain vs Non-Captain
Pant’s batting performance also shows a difference when he is captain and when he is not.
| Category | Inns | Runs | Highest | Average | Strike Rate | 100/50 | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not captain | 68 | 2079 | 128* | 35.23 | 151.97 | 1/12 | 183 | 103 |
| As captain | 63 | 1663 | 118* | 31.98 | 139.98 | 1/8 | 154 | 73 |
His numbers are clearly better when he is not leading the team.
What LSG Can Do Next
LSG need to take quick decisions if they want to stay in the tournament.
Changing the captain could help bring a fresh approach. It could also allow Pant to focus fully on his batting.
However, this is still just a suggestion, and the team management will decide what is best.
Key Takeaway
LSG’s poor form has opened a big debate about leadership.
The idea of making Aiden Markram captain is gaining attention because of his calm style and experience.
At the same time, Pant’s better batting record without captaincy shows that removing pressure could help both the player and the team.
