Lucknow Super Giants may have edged past Kolkata Knight Riders in a last-ball thriller, but former India batter Mohammed Kaif believes captain Rishabh Pant must take greater responsibility and improve his game awareness in chases.
Pant managed just 10 runs in what was a steady chase situation, leaving the middle order under pressure before a late rescue act sealed the win. Kaif pointed out that with LSG well-placed at 41 in the first five overs, the captain needed to anchor the innings rather than play a loose shot.
“The team needed him to stay until the end,” Kaif said on Star Sports.
“He is an experienced player, having been in the IPL since 2016. The situation when he came out to bat was not particularly difficult. LSG had already scored 41 in the first five overs. One batter needed to take responsibility and bat through the chase. That role was meant for Pant.
“As captain, if you don’t take responsibility, you cannot help your team win games. Yes, he did well against SRH, but he needs to find consistency. Playing one good knock and then failing in the next few games is not enough. He has to read the match situation better and learn when to shift gears.”
Pant’s form has been patchy so far this season, with two low scores around a half-century, and Kaif stressed that such inconsistency is not ideal for a leader expected to guide the chase.
“A captain’s job is to stay till the end in a chase, and that is something Pant must work on,” he added.
While Kaif raised concerns about Pant’s approach, India legend Sunil Gavaskar highlighted a different aspect of LSG’s campaign, noting that the team is finding ways to win despite underwhelming performances from its senior players.
“They were in a tough spot, but sealed a miraculous win with the help of their youngsters. Mitchell Marsh didn’t score much runs, Aiden Markram made only 22, Pant and Nicholas Pooran also failed to get going.
“Despite their main batters struggling, LSG still rescued themselves and secured the win. Last year, they relied completely on their main players. This season, they are winning without relying on them.”
‘POORAN’S FORM CONCERN FOR LSG’
Gavaskar, however, expressed concern over Pooran’s form, saying the West Indian looked out of touch and lacked clarity in his approach.
“What’s a concern for LSG is the poor form of Nicholas Pooran. He looked out of touch against KKR and LSG moved him to the middle order because they wanted more firepower there.
“But, he looked lost. He was just swinging his bat at each ball in the hope of getting some contact with the bat but that is not the Pooran we know. LSG will have to find a way to make Pooran regain his confidence back.”
Despite the struggles of their established names, LSG found a hero in Mukul Choudhary, who produced a stunning half-century under pressure to pull off the chase from 104 for 5.
Gavaskar said the innings highlighted the depth in the squad and the belief the team can draw from such performances.
“Despite being at 104 for 5 after 13 overs, with all their main batters back in the dugout, they still managed to win. It gives LSG confidence. They know their fearless youngsters will come good at some point, and that belief alone can take them a long way.
“Unbelievable innings by this fearless prodigy, Mukul Choudhary. What I love about the IPL is that every day we get to see something different. Here, it is Mukul Choudhary, who stepped up and helped his side cross the finish line.
“He just comes into the IPL, plays an unbelievable innings and makes everyone talk about him. The confidence he showed and the way he executed his shots was simply amazing to watch.”
