IPL 2026: Rs 27cr price tag burden for Rishabh Pant? LSG feel 'it's just a question of ...'
Lucknow Super Giants bowling coach Bharat Arun backed captain Rishabh Pant despite his poor IPL 2026 form, saying the record Rs 27 crore price tag is not affecting him mentally and that he is “one innings away” from regaining rhythm. Arun also praised Mohammed Shami and confirmed Mayank Yadav is fully fit again.
MUMBAI: Lucknow Super Giants are once again under pressure after losing six of their eight matches in IPL 2026, leaving their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. While the team’s struggling top order has contributed heavily to the poor campaign, much of LSG’s troubles have revolved around the inconsistent form of captain Rishabh Pant, who was bought for a record Rs 27 crore ahead of the season. Pant had already endured a disappointing IPL 2025, scoring 269 runs in 14 matches at an average of 24.
45 and a strike rate of 133. 16 — his lowest return in the tournament after his debut season in 2016. This season, the left-handed wicketkeeper-batter has managed only 189 runs in eight matches at an average of 27.
00 and a strike rate of 126. 84, with just one fifty. Pant began the season opening the innings before shifting back to the middle order.
Despite training under former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh ahead of the tournament in a bid to revive his white-ball form, questions continue to surround his performances. However, LSG bowling coach Bharat Arun dismissed suggestions that the IPL price tag was affecting Pant mentally. “I don't think the price tag has got to do anything with it.