Despite assembling a star-studded lineup and investing ₹27 crore in Rishabh Pant, the results have been underwhelming. With LSG struggling to find momentum and Pant’s form dipping alarmingly, serious questions are being raised about his suitability as captain. Is it time for LSG to consider a leadership change?
Batting Woes: Pant’s Form Under Fire
Pant’s numbers this season tell a grim story. In 11 matches, he has crossed the 10-run mark just four times, with a highest score of 18 off 17 balls against Punjab Kings. His average—just 12.80—is a massive drop from previous seasons where he consistently passed the 300-run mark.
One of the low points came in a bizarre dismissal where Pant’s bat slipped from his hands mid-shot, resulting in a soft catch. It was symbolic of a season where nothing has quite clicked for the explosive left-hander.
Leadership Lapses: Tactical Concerns Grow
Pant’s leadership has also been scrutinized. Field placements have often appeared reactive rather than proactive, and bowling changes have lacked flair or adaptability. One glaring example was his puzzling decision not to use Ravi Bishnoi against MS Dhoni—despite the spinner’s past success against the CSK veteran.
Former players have weighed in. Ambati Rayudu questioned Pant’s insistence on batting in the middle order, suggesting he’s out of sync with the demands of that role. Cheteshwar Pujara echoed the sentiment, saying Pant is trying to emulate MS Dhoni’s finishing style without possessing the same tactical control.
Should He Drop the Gloves?
Australia’s Aaron Finch proposed a potential fix: hand over the wicketkeeping duties to Nicholas Pooran. Doing so would allow Pant more time to focus on strategy and on-field communication with bowlers—a critical aspect of captaincy that suffers when a keeper is constantly behind the stumps.
It’s a move that could lighten his mental load and give him the freedom to recalibrate his approach both as a leader and a batter.
Voices of Support Remain
Despite the criticisms, not everyone is ready to write off Pant just yet. Teammate Mitchell Marsh recently praised his leadership growth, calling him “a good leader” still adjusting to the demands of the role. Sunil Gavaskar also threw his support behind Pant, suggesting that his captaincy would improve once his batting form returns.
It’s clear Pant still commands respect within the dressing room—an important factor when evaluating his position as captain.
The Verdict: Stick or Twist?
There’s no denying that Rishabh Pant is enduring one of the toughest stretches of his IPL career. But while his individual form and decisions have been questionable, stripping him of captaincy mid-season could destabilize the team even further.
A more nuanced approach might be best. Letting Pooran take over the gloves, reshuffling the batting order, and simplifying Pant’s responsibilities could help him rediscover his form and leadership spark.
Should LSG remove Rishabh Pant as captain? Not yet—but they should act swiftly to support him with the right structural changes. If results don’t improve soon, however, LSG may have no choice but to pull the plug on the Pant experiment.
