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LSG Captain Rishabh Pant Admits Fielding Lapses Costly in IPL 2026 Loss to CSK

Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant admitted his side's fielding lapses proved costly as Chennai Super Kings chased down 204 to win by five wickets. Pant specifically cited dropped catches of Urvil Patel (on 62) and Prashant Veer (twice on nine) as key moments. He praised Urvil's explosive 13-ball fifty and Josh Inglis's blistering 85 for LSG. Pant also defended his bowling decisions in the final overs, including using Shahbaz Ahmed.

Key Points: Pant: Fielding Standards Must Improve After LSG Loss to CSK

  • LSG loses to CSK by 5 wickets in high-scoring IPL 2026 clash
  • Rishabh Pant admits dropped catches of Urvil Patel and Prashant Veer hurt team
  • Urvil Patel scores explosive 13-ball fifty for CSK
  • Josh Inglis hits blistering 85 for LSG
  • Pant defends bowling decisions in final overs
3 min read

IPL 2026: In T20 cricket, the fielding standards have to be up there, says LSG skipper Pant

Rishabh Pant admits dropped catches proved costly as Chennai Super Kings chase down 204 to hand Lucknow Super Giants a five-wicket defeat in IPL 2026.

"In T20 cricket, the fielding standards have to be up there. Too many catches were dropped. - Rishabh Pant"

Chennai, May 10

Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant admitted his side's fielding lapses proved costly as Chennai Super Kings held their nerve to chase down 204 and hand the visitors a five‑wicket defeat in a high-scoring IPL 2026 clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.

Though LSG took the game to the final over, their drops of Urvil Patel (on 62) and Prashant Veer (twice on nine) hurt them, with the side now starting at the possibility of being the first team to be eliminated from IPL 2026.

"Definitely. I think it was a great game. Everything was coming out nicely. We knew we were going to put enough pressure on in the power play because when you practice like that, that's the kind of cricket you look forward to.

"But at the same time, I feel like there was enough time. In T20 cricket, the fielding standards have to be up there. Too many catches were dropped, and as you said, it's difficult to put it on just one thing. But a lot of character shown to come back from there was really good (on Urvil's knock)," Pant said after the match ended.

Pant also praised Urvil's explosive record 13-ball fifty for CSK, which mirrored Josh Inglis's powerplay assault while making a blistering 85 for LSG. "That's the only thing. Urvil played a fantastic, unbelievable knock like Inglis for us. We knew in the power play, someone had to take that charge, and that's what Inglis did for us.

"For CSK, it was Urvil. But at the same time, the team showed a lot of character. Definitely some areas where we can work out, but kudos to CSK. They held on to their nerves better than we," he remarked.

Reflecting on LSG's batting effort, Pant said his side fell short of their intended target despite a strong start. "Definitely, given how we started, we would have liked to aim for more, but we knew close to 200-210 would be a good target. They got off to a flyer in the power play. But at the same time, we knew that it was getting difficult, and after the power play, the ball was getting older, and it was sort of difficult to bat on the wicket."

Pant also defended his decision-making in terms of choosing bowlers in the final overs. "That came to my mind (on using Shahbaz Ahmed in the final over), but two lefties batting, it was a tough call to have. You've got to back someone who can just go over us, and again, as Markram has for a lot of times for us in the past years, also," he concluded.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sneha F
I feel for Pant—he's trying to stay positive, but you can see the frustration. LSG's bowling was decent, but fielding let them down badly. And why Shahbaz Ahmed for the final over? That was a gamble that didn't pay off. CSK just knew how to hold their nerve better.
V
Vikram M
Urvil Patel is the find of the season! A 13-ball fifty in a chase of 204—what a player. But credit to LSG for making it close. Pant's captaincy is improving, but those dropped catches... yaar, that's basic stuff in IPL. LSG fans must be tearing their hair out.
J
James A
As a neutral, this was a cracking game of cricket. LSG posted 204 and still lost—that shows how batting-friendly IPL has become. Pant is right about fielding standards, but his own bowlers leaked runs in the powerplay. CSK's chase was clinical. Urvil Patel take a bow!
P
Priya S
Honest admission from Pant. But I think he's being too hard on himself—the team showed fight. However, dropping Prashant Veer twice? That's school-level stuff. LSG need a proper fielding coach. And why no mention of the dew factor? That made bowling tough for LSG. CSK were just smarter.
R
Rohit L
Pant's captaincy under scrutiny again. Shahbaz in the final over? Against two lefties? Should have gone with a seamer. But credit where due—Urvil Patel played a gem. LSG's season is almost over, but at least they went down fighting. Better luck next year

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