Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant looked composed, even with a wry smile, after Kolkata Knight Riders edged them in a Super Over at the Ekana Stadium on Sunday. LSG had nearly pulled off an improbable comeback, sparked by Mohammed Shami’s late hitting that included a six off the final ball to drag the match into a decider. Yet, a questionable plan during the Super Over allowed KKR to move through the chase smoothly and escape with the points.
In the post-match discussion, Pant stressed that the group needs to reset quickly. “We definitely need a break. We are going to refresh,” he said after Lucknow’s IPL 2026 slide continued, with the side suffering their fifth consecutive loss in the tournament and sixth defeat overall, leaving them rooted at the bottom of the standings.
He also pointed directly at responsibility, insisting it cannot rest on individuals. “We need to take accountability — each and every guy. It has to be about the entire team,” Pant added.
Quick facts
- Match: LSG vs KKR at Ekana Stadium on Sunday
- Result: KKR won the Super Over
- Key moment in regulation: Mohammed Shami hit a last-ball six to force a Super Over
- LSG context: fifth straight IPL 2026 defeat; sixth loss overall; bottom of the table
- Next fixture: Mumbai Indians on May 4 at Wankhede Stadium
Late charge, then Super Over twists
LSG required 17 runs in the last over with three wickets remaining, and Himmat Singh was their biggest attacking option via the Impact Sub slot. Kartik Tyagi was given the ball for the final over, after being trusted in similar pressure scenarios previously. However, the over swung sharply due to two consecutive waist-high no-balls, and Himmat also found a boundary, reducing the target to 8 runs off 4 deliveries.
Tyagi briefly steadied things by removing Himmat on the third ball, but the rhythm didn’t last. He conceded just one run on the next two balls, leaving Lucknow needing 7 off 2 with Shami on strike. Then Shami produced the strike that changed the atmosphere, smashing a full delivery over long-off for a six to force the Super Over.
Super Over: Pooran’s struggle ends quickly
With a genuine shot at closing the game, Pant and Nicholas Pooran walked out for the Super Over. Pooran has struggled for form this season, and in this match he managed only a 9-run contribution, bringing his tournament tally to 82 runs at a strike rate of 81. The opening ball of the Super Over ended poorly for Lucknow, with Sunil Narine removing Pooran on the first delivery.
Narine struck again immediately, taking another wicket on the very next ball and leaving KKR with just 2 runs needed. Rinku Singh finished the chase off the first ball, sealing the win for Kolkata.
Justifying the backing of Pooran despite the form dip, Pant said, “We had a discussion as a group, and the name that came up was Nicholas Pooran. He might not be in the best form, but you trust your players in tough situations. No excuses there. Right now, there may not be many positives, but after the break, there will be enough.”
Why Digvesh Rathi was asked to bowl
Pant also addressed Lucknow’s earlier decision to hand Digvesh Rathi a crucial over, a phase where Rinku Singh struck four sixes. Pant acknowledged that cricket sometimes allows adjustments, but insisted bowling in high-pressure phases is often unavoidable.
“There are times in cricket where you can tweak things, but sometimes bowlers have to take on tough overs. I was looking for a wicket in the middle phase but didn’t get one. That was the thought process. Too many minds don’t make it easy on the field,” Pant said.
LSG will now shift focus to their next assignment, facing the Mumbai Indians on May 4 at the Wankhede Stadium.
