Former India opener Navjot Singh Sidhu criticized wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant on Thursday for “throwing his wicket away” rather than letting the bowlers earn it, pointing out that his subpar batting performance added to the Lucknow Super Giants’ problems this IPL season.
Pant’s IPL 2026 performance has been generally erratic, with multiple low scores. 68 not out against Sunrisers Hyderabad was his only very noteworthy performance. Thanks to their misfiring top order, LSG are struggling in seventh place on the 10-team table.
“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,” PTI quoted Sidhu saying on Star Sports.
“When you look at players like Markram, Pooran, Marsh, and Pant, there is immense potential, but the partnerships are missing.
“Even a 50-run stand at the top has been rare. 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,” Sidhu added.
In a five-wicket loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Wednesday in Bengaluru, Pant was dismissed for one. Pant, who is leading LSG after being retained by the team, has had trouble being consistent, scoring just 104 runs at an average of 26.00 and a strike rate of 122.35 in five games.
However, RCB’s star player Virat Kohli maintained his strong form by anchoring the chase with a cool knock.
Despite playing top-flight cricket for almost twenty years, Sidhu was impressed by Kohli’s hunger for runs.
“Virat Kohli at even 20 percent is better than most at 100 percent. That’s the kind of impact and influence he brings. Despite not being at his best physically, he followed up his previous fifty with another commanding performance,” Sidhu said.
“The way he dominated Mohammed Shami stood out, on his toes, driving over cover, playing fluent pulls and cuts. The time he has to execute those strokes, even after 18-19 years at the top level, shows why he remains indispensable to the IPL,” he added.
