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Sidhu Slams Pant: "Getting Himself Out" as LSG Captain Falters Again

Former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has criticized Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant, stating the wicketkeeper-batter is "getting himself out" rather than being dismissed by bowlers. Pant's struggles continued as he retired hurt and was later dismissed for just one run in LSG's loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. LSG slumped to 83/4 before recovering to 146, aided by Ayush Badoni and Mukul Choudhary, but it wasn't enough. Sidhu analyzed that the team's persistent problem is a non-firing top order, with even 50-run partnerships becoming rare.

Key Points: Sidhu Criticizes Pant's Form as LSG Loses to RCB in IPL 2026

  • Sidhu says Pant's dismissals are self-inflicted
  • Pant retired hurt before falling for 1 run
  • LSG's top order failing to fire consistently
  • RCB pacers dominate on two-paced pitch
2 min read

IPL 2026: Rishabh Pant is getting himself out, says Navjot Sidhu as LSG captain falters again

Navjot Sidhu says Rishabh Pant is "getting himself out" as LSG struggles. Analysis of Pant's poor form and LSG's top-order batting collapse.

"I don't think bowlers are getting Rishabh out; more often, he is getting himself out. - Navjot Singh Sidhu"

Mumbai, April 16

As Lucknow Super Giants slumped to another defeat, losing to defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru by five wickets in the Indian Premier League 2026, their skipper Rishabh Pant's injury and subsequent dismissal have turned the spotlight on the wicketkeeper-batter.

Former India opener and commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu feels Pant's problems are of his own making, as he is getting himself out rather than the bowlers taking his wicket.

"I don't think bowlers are getting Rishabh out; more often, he is getting himself out. He has the talent and ability, and if he gives himself time, he can turn it around. At the moment, both their batting and bowling seem to be struggling," JioStar experts Navjot Singh Sidhu said speaking on Star Sports' Amul Cricket Live'.

In the match against RCB, Pant was struck on his left elbow as he attempted to pull a shortish delivery from Josh Hazlewood and retired hurt. He came back to bat with his team in dire straits, but fell for only one run when he tried to whip a low full toss from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, but was caught superbly by Phil Salt, running to his left from deep square-leg boundary.

In five matches, the wicketkeeper-batter has scores of 7, 68*, 10, 18, and 1, the half-century against Sunrisers Hyderabad being the only worthwhile contribution.

On Wednesday, LSG batters were rattled by a superb spell of fast bowling by Josh Hazlewood while Bhuvneshwar Kumar bagged 3-27, and Rasikh Salam grabbed 4-24 as the pacers made hay on a two-paced pitch. LSG had slumped to 83/4 before they recovered to post 146 thanks to vital contributions by Ayush Badoni (38) and Mukul Choudhary (39).

Sidhu analysed LSG's problems and said their top order is not firing, which is leading to them struggling to put up a fight.

"There is a lot of soul-searching that needs to be done. Their problems have persisted, especially with the top order not firing. They have been heavily dependent on their top three, but the returns haven't come. When you look at players like (Aidan) Markram, (Nicholas) Pooran, (Mitchell) Marsh, and Rishabh Pant, there is immense potential, but the partnerships are missing. Even a 50-run stand at the top has been rare," said Sidhu.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
It's harsh to put it all on Pant. Coming back from that injury, getting hit again, and then the pressure of captaincy... it's a lot for any player. The whole team needs to step up, not just one man.
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Aditya G
The problem is the team balance. Why are we so dependent on overseas players in the middle? Our Indian core needs to fire. Badoni and Mukul showed fight today, that's the spirit we need from the start!
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Priya S
Feel so bad for Rishabh. You can see he's trying, but nothing is working. Maybe they should relieve him of captaincy? Let him focus on his batting. He's a national treasure, we need him back in form for India.
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Michael C
Watching as a neutral fan, Sidhu's analysis is spot on. The lack of partnerships is killing them. In T20 cricket, if your top order doesn't give you a platform, you're always playing catch-up. LSG's think tank has some serious work to do.
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Kavya N
It's the same story every match. We buy big names for crores, but where is the performance? The management needs to be questioned too. Why is there no stable opening pair? So much talent, zero consistency. 🤦‍♀️

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