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Former India batsman Ambati Rayudu has asked Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant to resign from the post before IPL 2027.
Pant joined LSG as captain in IPL 2025 but could not deliver results. In both IPL 2025 and IPL 2026, LSG were eliminated from the tournament in the group stage, and Pant’s own form with the bat has been very poor.
Over the past two years, Pant’s low returns with the bat have been the subject of criticism from both fans and experts. For the last few days, there have been reports that there is speculation about Pant being out of LSG.
Rishabh Pant and LSG in 2026
Pant’s batting form did not improve from IPL 2025, but in 2026, he certainly got worse. And not only him, but also his team.
In 2025, LSG finished 7th in the points table, but somehow fell further. The Lucknow franchise achieved two wins in its first three matches, but lost 6 consecutive matches in the mid-season.
LSG eventually won two more matches in the tournament, but that did not stop them from becoming the first team to be eliminated from the tournament.
Pant’s batting form has also been a matter of concern. In 2025, he scored 269 runs in 14 matches at an average of 24.45 and strike rate of 133.16. He also scored a century and a half-century.
This year, in most cases there has been a slight improvement in them. His final run numbers include 312 runs in 14 matches at an average of 28 and a strike rate of 136 with one half-century.
“The best thing he can do is play as a player” – Ambati Rayudu
Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, Ambati Rayudu reflected on Rishabh Pant’s captaincy style, describing it as spontaneous and impulsive. He added that this style did not always suit LSG’s coaching staff.
“His idol has always been MS Dhoni. We have seen him talking about him, and MS Dhoni’s captaincy is very, very similar. He is very comfortable, so maybe he is following a path which may not suit the coaching staff.”
“So, there are a lot of things, so until we hear from Pant what his captaincy style is, we can only assume what he is doing or what he is thinking. But from the looks of it, he is very spontaneous and impulsive at times. I think the best thing he can do is play as a player.”
“Captaincy means nothing” – Rayudu
Rayudu further said that Rishabh Pant should not take the burden of captaincy on himself and MS Dhoni’s place is still too big for him.
Rayudu further said, “Captaincy is a tough job; there is no point in doing it. Be happy in your life, play as a player, score a lot of runs.”
Rayudu compared the captaincy style of Dhoni and Rishabh Pant. “Those are big shoes to fill. MS Dhoni is someone who thinks on his feet. He knows what to expect from someone in a certain situation or at a certain point. Or what he is going to do then.”
“So in that way, he is very well prepared. He knows what his resources are and what they bring to the table. But, Rishabh Pant, maybe because he is not apt to say Plan A, Plan B, Plan C. I don’t think he goes that path. If he can’t go that path, then he should sit back, enjoy and play as a player.
Also Read: Sachin Tendulkar reacts to Arjun Tendulkar’s impressive LSG outing
Would Rishabh Pant be a better player without the burden of captaincy? pic.twitter.com/JdWI0SLYWX
– ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) 24 May 2026