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Irfan Pathan Criticizes Pant's Leadership: Lack of Trust Cost LSG Ravi Bishnoi

Former cricketer Irfan Pathan has directly criticized Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant, stating he showed a "lack of trust" in leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi during the previous season. This comes after Bishnoi was bought by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 7.4 crore in the recent auction, following a season where he played only 11 matches for LSG. While Pathan praised LSG's bolstered bowling with additions like Wanindu Hasaranga, both he and Aakash Chopra pointed to significant and unaddressed concerns in the batting lineup, particularly the lower order. The analysis suggests LSG's auction strategy focused on bowling strength but may have left the squad imbalanced for the upcoming IPL 2026 season.

Key Points: Pathan: Pant's Lack of Trust in Bishnoi Hurt LSG | IPL 2026

  • Pathan critiques Pant's captaincy
  • Bishnoi's high-value RR move
  • LSG's strong bowling but weak batting
  • Chopra highlights lower-order concerns
3 min read

"LSG captain Rishabh Pant showed lack of trust in Ravi Bishnoi": Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan says Rishabh Pant showed a lack of trust in Ravi Bishnoi at LSG. Analysis of LSG's IPL 2026 squad, batting concerns, and auction strategy.

"last year, there was a lack of trust from captain Rishabh Pant in Ravi Bishnoi. - Irfan Pathan"

New Delhi, December 24

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan said that Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant showed a lack of trust in leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi during the Indian Premier League 2025 season.

Ravi Bishnoi, whose base price was Rs 2 crore, was acquired by the inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals (RR) for a whopping Rs 7.4 crore at the IPL 2026 auction earlier this month.

It was an intense bid for Bishnoi, with CSK, RR, and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) bidding for the leg-spinner. But Bishnoi went to the Royals. Bishnoi has picked up 61 T20I wickets in 42 matches at an average of 19.37, with two four-fers.

The 25-year-old played 11 IPL matches for Lucknow-based franchise last year, picking up nine wickets at an economy of 10.83.

Speaking on the 'TATA IPL Auction Review', JioStar expert Irfan Pathan analysed LSG's squad balance and key additions to their side for the upcoming IPL 2026 season.

"Looking at Anrich Nortje and Hasaranga, LSG has very strong options, especially in the fast-bowling department, which was much needed. If the fast bowlers stay fit, they form a formidable unit. Hasaranga is a big benefit--last year, there was a lack of trust from captain Rishabh Pant in Ravi Bishnoi. Hasaranga, bought for 2 crore, is a solid and cost-effective addition. However, with batsmen like Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad, LSG could have done with one more top-class batter. I was hoping for someone like Livingstone. Overall, there's still a need for at least five more high-quality batsmen in the squad," Pathan said.

JioStar expert and former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra also commented on LSG's batting and lower-order concerns.

"LSG has kept Rishabh Pant at number three, but the batting order remains a question mark. Pant can play higher, and last season's top order was exceptional--three of the top four batsmen scored over 500 runs, which is very rare. The real issue has been the lower order; at five, six, and seven, players like David Miller couldn't consistently deliver in last season. This season, LSG has more options in bowling with Hasaranga, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, along with Akash Singh, Prince Yadav, and Arjun Tendulkar. Despite these improvements, the lower-order batting remains a concern that hasn't been fully addressed," Chopra said.

Lucknow Super Giants squad for IPL 2026:

Abdul Samad, Ayush Badoni, Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke, Himmat Singh, Rishabh Pant (c), Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Arshin Kulkarni, Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan, Manimaran Siddharth, Digvesh Rathi, Prince Yadav, Akash Singh, Mohammed Shami, Arjun Tendulkar, Wanindu Hasaranga, Anrich Nortje, Mukul Choudhary, Naman Tiwari, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Josh Inglis.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a neutral fan, it's interesting. Pant was coming back from a long break, maybe he was under pressure to get immediate results and couldn't afford to let a bowler have an expensive over. But you have to show faith. Hasaranga is a good buy though.
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Priya S
Honestly, Bishnoi's economy was 10.83 last season. That's quite high for a frontline spinner. Maybe Pant's lack of trust had some basis? Captain has to think of the team first. But yes, selling him might come back to haunt LSG.
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Rahul R
The real issue Chopra pointed out is the lower order. Pant at 3, Pooran, Markram...top heavy hai team. After that, kuch solid nahi hai. They spent so much on bowlers but batting mein gamble liya hai. Hope it works out! 💪
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Aakash C
With all due respect to Irfan Pathan, I think this is a bit of hindsight analysis. In the heat of the moment, a captain makes calls based on the match situation. Bishnoi is a fantastic talent, but T20 is a cruel format for bowlers sometimes.
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Nikhil C
RR buying Bishnoi for 7.4 Cr shows his true value. LSG management should also share the blame, not just Pant. They let a future star go. Bowling looks strong on paper but batting...waise bhi Lucknow pitch is slow, need power hitters down the order.

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