Former India opener Virender Sehwag launched a stinging attack on Lucknow Super Giants’ leadership after the Rishabh Pant-led outfit slipped to the foot of the IPL 2026 standings on Sunday. Lucknow’s latest setback came in a tightly fought contest against Kolkata Knight Riders, with the match ultimately decided in a Super Over—only for LSG to lose the one-over shootout and remain stuck in a precarious position. With qualification now looking unlikely, Sehwag suggested the franchise must win every remaining game if it is to keep its playoff hopes alive. In the main chase, Lucknow fell short of the 156-run target and the contest was forced into the tie-break. But in the Super Over, KKR handled the pressure decisively, climbing to the eighth spot in the points table.
Sehwag’s criticism was aimed squarely at the franchise’s head coach Justin Langer and strategic advisor Kane Williamson. The ex-batter argued that the team’s management has not done its job—especially in recognising the limitations of the current squad—and that the side’s batting problems are being ignored. He pointed out that Lucknow have struggled to score consistently and that chasing has repeatedly become their undoing, calling out what he viewed as a lack of clarity in decision-making.
It was notable, Sehwag said, that Lucknow’s support structure includes prominent names such as Tom Moody, who works as Director of Cricket, while Langer, Williamson, Lance Klusener and Bharat Arun hold senior roles within the setup. Sehwag questioned why, with such experience in the building, the team continues to invite opponents to bat and repeatedly fails in run chases. “Lucknow Super Giants once again failed to chase down a total. I just don’t understand. You have a Director of Cricket and a coach. Kane Williamson, Justin Langer and Tom Moody are all there. Inka kya dimaag nahi chalta? (Are their brains not working?) Are they not able to see how their team has been performing? The team is not being able to bat, and still they are winning the toss and inviting the opposition to bat,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz. He added that even if Lucknow had opted to bat first and posted something in the 140–150 range, the pressure would have shifted towards KKR. “If they won the toss and opted to bat first, even if they scored 140 to 150, the pressure would have been on KKR. I cannot understand this. You are not able to chase, but you are hell-bent and fixated on wanting to chase. Ye kahan ki samajhdari hai? Kaun le raha hai decisions? (How wise is this? Who is taking all these calls?),” he further remarked.
Super Over shock: Pooran’s early dismissal swings it
The defining moment of the LSG vs KKR game arrived in the Super Over, where Lucknow chose Nicholas Pooran to face Sunil Narine. Pooran, who has endured a difficult run of form in IPL 2026, was unable to make an impact and was dismissed on the very first ball when he went for an ugly hoike off Narine’s bowling. Lucknow could only manage a solitary run in the tie-break, and KKR chased down the two-run target immediately, with Rinku Singh striking a boundary off Prince Yadav on the opening delivery of the Super Over.
After the loss, LSG captain Rishabh Pant acknowledged the need for a reset, saying the team requires a “break”. Lucknow will now turn their attention to their next fixture against the Mumbai Indians on Monday, May 4.
