Lucknow Super Giants ended their IPL 2026 campaign on a grim note, sliding to a tenth defeat of the season as Punjab Kings beat them by 7 wickets at Ekana Stadium. A total of 197 looked competitive, but it ultimately proved insufficient, with Shreyas Iyer’s century turning the match into a memorable send-off for Rishabh Pant’s side.
Punjab Kings chase with comfort after Iyer’s masterclass
Despite the disappointment of another late-season setback for Lucknow, the key story was Punjab’s chase. Iyer’s century provided the platform, and once that foundation was in place, Punjab Kings controlled proceedings to secure victory with ease—returning the same wave of frustration that had followed Lucknow’s earlier losses.
LSG captain’s season review: “apologise” talk and tough lessons
Earlier in the day, Pant had spoken about the need for the team to apologise to their fans, acknowledging that expectations had not been met. After the match, it was a bitter finish for the skipper as he spoke to broadcasters, reflecting on a year packed with tough moments and the learning that comes with them.
“Initial thoughts are that it was a tough one. You have to bite the bullet regardless of anything, so we are going to keep our head high. There has been a lot of learning, good or bad, so definitely a tough season for us as a team,” said Pant.
What went right for Lucknow in 2026
Even with the season’s overall outcome, Pant pointed to a few bright spots that stood out amid the setbacks. He highlighted how Mitchell Marsh delivered another standout run in the competition, while Josh Inglis made a strong impact late in the tournament with a couple of polished innings.
- Mitchell Marsh produced another excellent season for Lucknow.
- Josh Inglis offered late momentum with two dazzling knocks.
- Lucknow’s Indian pace attack showed quality, even if it was not fully consistent across matches.
- Several bowlers stepped up at different points during the summer.
Where the struggles showed: batting form and individual dips
For all the positives, Pant also acknowledged that the negatives were just as prominent. He pointed to his own batting returns as a major concern, along with a difficult year from Nicholas Pooran, underscoring how Lucknow’s batting unit had struggled to deliver often enough.
“Definitely as a team we want to look at the positives. Josh has come in and played a brilliant knock, Mitch is not here but has done well for us,” Pant said.
He added that the team’s bowling also contained encouraging performances, noting the impact of Prince (Yadav), whose late surge helped shape the final stretch of the season.
- Pant admitted his own batting form had not been up to standard.
- Nicholas Pooran’s season was a down one.
- Josh Inglis’s late knock(s) were singled out as a bright moment.
- Prince (Yadav) had an outstanding season and finished strongly, earning an Indian call-up.
Bowling positives and the work to be done in the auction
While Prince Yadav led the line, Pant also drew attention to strong contributions from Mohsin Khan and Mohammed Shami. He described Shami’s ability to stay composed as a key feature of Lucknow’s fast-bowling unit, and he referenced Mohsin’s return from injury as another encouraging development.
“Bowling, Prince (Yadav) has had an amazing season, last few games have been here and there, but had a terrific season and got an Indian call-up,” Pant said.
“Mohsin coming back from injury, Shami bhai, the way he has kept the nerve for the fast bowling unit, that was great to see. A lot of positives, but at the same time, idea without accountability is the harder thing to do. You want to focus on the right thing and the right path, accept everything and move on from it.”
In his closing thoughts, Pant framed the larger challenge for the franchise: even with the core strengths emerging, there is plenty of work to do—especially when planning for future squads through upcoming auction opportunities.
Rueful end for the captain and a promise for 2027
The interview ended with Pant offering a rueful smile, reflecting on how demanding the season had been for him personally and for the team as a leader—filled with tough moments and repeated defeats.
When Graeme Swann sent well-wishes to Pant on air, the Lucknow captain responded with an awkward chuckle before setting his focus on IPL 2027.
“Definitely, it’s been a long season, but keeping our head high, and we promise to come back stronger next year regardless of it,” Pant concluded.
