Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) captain, Rishabh Pant, is experiencing a challenging season with the bat, having scored only 110 runs in 10 matches so far. His average stands at 11, with just one fifty to his name, which came in a match against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) that resulted in a defeat for his team.
Pant's uncertainty about his position in the batting order has contributed to some instability within the team. In a recent match against the Mumbai Indians, he batted at number 4, starting confidently with a pull shot, but was dismissed on the very next ball, adding to his poor run in the team's 54-run loss at Wankhede Stadium.
Also Read: Bumrah, Boult Star as MI Crush LSG by 54 Runs
Zaheer Khan back Rishabh Pant
Despite these struggles, Lucknow Super Giants mentor Zaheer Khan has expressed his support for Pant, emphasizing that he is doing his best as a captain, although his batting form is a concern. Zaheer stated,
“As a leader, he is ticking all the boxes. The middle order is dependent on Rishabh, and I am very confident that the impact we need from him will come. It's just about something clicking.”
Also Read: LSG’s Rishabh Pant in Trouble: INR 24 Lakh Penalty Follows MI’s Wankhede Rout
Regarding Pant's performance, Zaheer dismissed the notion that the pressure of being an expensive buy at the auction is affecting him.
“I wouldn't relate it to anything like that. He is a leader, and he has been fantastic in that role, which I can vouch for,” Zaheer told the media after LSG's loss at Wankhede Stadium.
When asked if there would be any changes in leadership due to Pant’s struggles, Zaheer reassured that Pant will continue to lead the team for the remainder of the season.
“When you're talking about a team, you're discussing winning the tournament. We've identified Rishabh as the leader who will take this team forward, so there is no doubt about that,” he said.
LSG face PBKS next
Zaheer concluded by mentioning that LSG will utilize their six-day break before facing PBKS on May 4 at Dharamsala.
Currently, LSG is in 6th place in the points table, having won 5 and lost 5 matches. They have 4 more matches left and need at least 3 wins out of those to qualify for the playoffs.
