Lucknow Super Giants suffered yet another setback as they slid to a fifth consecutive defeat, going down to Kolkata Knight Riders in a gripping IPL 2026 contest on Sunday. The match swung dramatically, and while Rishabh Pant’s side had a promising platform—Pant himself top-scoring with 42—Lucknow ultimately could not seal the win and were forced into a Super Over, where KKR emerged victorious. The loss deepened the concerns around LSG’s campaign, with it marking their 14th defeat in just 22 games since Pant took over the captaincy role.
Even with the bat, Pant’s performances have not been enough to quiet the debate surrounding his leadership. Former India batter Wasim Jaffer was among those who raised the issue, calling for the franchise to rethink its captaincy structure and pushing for Aiden Markram to be handed the reins. Jaffer argued that Pant’s batting output has suffered amid the pressures and complications of captaincy responsibilities, adding that the wicketkeeper-batter should be allowed to focus on his natural strengths rather than carrying the burden of decision-making during matches.
“I feel a player like Rishabh Pant should play purely as a player. You get the best out of him when you free him up and tell him to just go out and play and win matches on his own. Don’t burden him with captaincy. I think Aiden Markram is a better captain,” Jaffer said during an interaction on YouTube. He further explained why he believes Markram could provide a more stable influence, highlighting the South African’s experience and temperament. “He has led South Africa very successfully, he is mentally strong, very composed, and I think he can get the best out of the other players. But this doesn’t look like something that will actually happen. This is just my suggestion, but if I were there, that’s what I would do,” he added.
Jaffer also delivered a blunt assessment of Lucknow’s overall showing against KKR, suggesting the side does not currently look settled in terms of roles and expectations. “LSG looks completely out of place right now; it’s hard even to know what to expect from them,” he said. From there, he offered a clear alternative plan for how he would shape the team and batting order, starting with appointing Markram as captain and using him at the top of the innings.
“If I were in that dugout, the first thing I would do is make Aiden Markram the captain. I would open with Markram and Mitchell Marsh. At number three, Nicholas Pooran, then Rishabh Pant at four, and Ayush Badoni at five. At number six, Abdul Samad, and at seven, Mukul Choudhary. That would be my top seven, and I would go with this batting order,” Jaffer said.
