Former India batter Manoj Tiwary has taken aim at Rishabh Pant’s captaincy and on-field calls after Lucknow Super Giants suffered a heavy blow in IPL 2026. LSG went down for the seventh time in the league on Monday, losing by six wickets to a struggling Mumbai Indians outfit despite making a huge first-innings total.
Quick facts
- LSG’s seventh defeat of IPL 2026 came on Monday against Mumbai Indians.
- Lucknow posted 228/5, but lost by six wickets.
- Ryan Rickelton (84) and Rohit Sharma (83) powered MI’s chase with eight balls remaining.
- Prince Yadav was LSG’s standout bowler: 24 runs conceded in three overs (economy rate 8).
- Manoj Tiwary questioned Pant’s tactical use of bowlers and decision-making.
- Arjun Tendulkar had been traded ahead of the IPL 2026 auction and had not yet debuted for LSG.
The match swung decisively when Mumbai chased down 229 with ease, powered by explosive starts from the openers. Rickelton struck 84 and Rohit added 83, allowing MI to reach the target with eight balls to spare, turning what should have been a commanding LSG score into a missed opportunity.
LSG’s bowling unit struggled to make inroads throughout the chase. Mohammed Shami and Mohsin Khan were among those who conceded freely, leaving the home side with little control as MI built momentum.
While the rest of the attack faltered, Prince Yadav offered a measured spell and turned in the lone highlight for Lucknow. He kept things tight by delivering yorker-focused bowling, giving away just 24 runs in his three overs while maintaining an economy rate of 8.
Tiwary questions Pant’s tactics
That contrast led Manoj Tiwary to question Pant’s tactical awareness. Tiwary criticised the captain for not spreading the same plan across the bowling group, arguing that if one bowler could execute yorkers effectively, others could have been directed to follow a similar approach.
Tiwary also suggested that Arjun Tendulkar—who has been working on yorkers in the nets—could have been given a role during the match. He pointed to the preparation and claimed that, from a captain’s perspective, Pant should have explored options that matched Yadav’s execution.
In addition, Tiwary highlighted Pant’s perceived shortcomings compared to past IPL captains. He said Pant’s lack of tactical sharpness puts him well behind the “great” captains, and he referenced MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma as examples of differing captaincy instincts.
Tiwary’s comments were direct: he said that in the Mumbai game, Yadav was the only economical bowler because he was delivering yorkers, and that the other bowlers should have been instructed to execute the same strategy. He also added that he had seen social media videos shared by LSG showing Tendulkar bowling yorkers in practice, implying Pant could have brought him into the XI.
Arjun Tendulkar, the former MI player and son of Sachin Tendulkar, is still awaiting his LSG debut. He was traded ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, but has not featured for Lucknow yet in a match setting.
Pant’s post-match response
After the loss, Pant addressed the team’s batting and his own contribution. He made 15 runs off 10 balls in the game, and later admitted that limited batting impact might have played a part in the final result.
At the post-match presentation, Pant said they should have started better and set an even bigger total, while also indicating there were positive signs in how the side played. He added that the players went out with freedom, and suggested the bowlers performed well because they are accustomed to the conditions.
