Lucknow Super Giants slumped to their fifth consecutive loss on Sunday and six overall in eight matches of IPL 2026. After LSG’s Super Over loss to Kolkata Knight Riders, skipper Rishabh Pant said they “definitely need a break”.
After the loss on Sunday, LSG are now at the bottom of the points table and have to find answers to their struggles sooner than later.
“We definitely need a break; I think we are going to get a refresh. There is always pressure and it is going to be (a) pressure game always, but at the same time, we have to look for answers inside, not outside and just keep it simple,” said Pant at the post-match presentation.
LSG had KKR reeling at 93 for 7, but Rinku Singh turned things around with a superb unbeaten 83.
Chasing 156 later, LSG struggled along the way, but Mohammed Shami smashed a six off the final ball to force a Super Over. However, they faltered in the decider, managing just 1/2, the lowest Super Over score ever.
“Just take accountability, each and every guy; it can’t be about one or two guys. It has to be about the whole unit and a lot of people will take accountability for that for sure,” Pant said.
Nicholas Pooran has found it tough to get going in IPL 2026, and everyone was surprised when he walked out to the middle with Aiden Markram for the Super Over. However, Pant backed the decision.
“We had a discussion as a group and the name (that) came up was (of) Nicholas Pooran’s (for Super Over). He might not be going through the best form of his life, but at the same time, you will trust your player in a hard situation like this,” said Pant.
Pant reiterated that a break would help LSG. “There might not be enough positives right now, but I think after the break, there will be a lot of positives for sure,” he said.
KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane said the experience of having played at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy made them believe that their total of 155 for 7 would be challenging for the opposition to chase.
“The way we played after 16 overs, Rinku’s innings was amazing. That last over and getting the momentum to our side was amazing,” he said.
“We played Syed Mushtaq Ali (T20) Trophy here and the soil was similar, we thought 160-170 would be a good total,” Rahane said.
Rahane praised his bowlers for leading their fight in the contest. “We knew one wicket would change the game for us. Sunil Narine was the option and hitting spinners to the long boundary was not easy. (Kartik) Tyagi has been really good, Vaibhav (Arora) as well,” he added.
Rinku not only starred with a first-innings 83 not out (51 balls; 7 fours, 5 sixes) but also took four catches and hit the winning runs in the Super Over.
“When I went into bat four wickets had fallen, so I kept thinking how I can go about and I have to take the game till the end. Since we had lost four wickets, it was about keeping the scoreboard moving and put the loose balls away,” Rinku said.
