Lucknow Super Giants are struggling in IPL 2026, having lost three matches in a row and slipping to ninth place in the points table. Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull has pointed to the team’s overseas batting as the biggest problem, arguing that apart from Aiden Markram, the international batters have not produced consistently enough. Doull also questioned the impact of captain Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran—two players Lucknow brought into the squad for a combined ₹48 crore—after both found themselves in poor batting rhythm this season.
Key takeaways
- LSG have dropped to ninth in the IPL 2026 standings after a run of three consecutive defeats.
- Simon Doull singled out the overseas batting unit as the team’s primary concern this year.
- Doull said Markram has offered some standout contributions, while Mitchell Marsh and Pooran have not.
- Pooran’s IPL 2026 batting output stands at 51 runs from 6 innings.
- Pant has scored 147 runs in six outings, including a 68 not out against Sunrisers Hyderabad in a winning effort.
Doull targets LSG’s overseas batting and captaincy returns
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Doull argued that the overseas core is underperforming because it occupies too much space in the batting order. His view was that with three overseas batters taking prominent roles inside the top five, the side needs more reliable production than it has been receiving so far. He noted that Markram has managed a few meaningful performances, but felt the overall returns have not matched expectations for the group as a whole.
Doull specifically referenced the roles of Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran, stating that Marsh has not contributed in a significant way and that Pooran has delivered very little with the bat. He framed the issue as a direct mismatch between selection investment and on-field impact, suggesting that this is the biggest bottleneck for the franchise in IPL 2026.
Form numbers for Pooran and Pant under scrutiny
Doull also highlighted the slump in Pooran’s batting. Pooran, who was retained by LSG for ₹21 crore, has managed only 51 runs across six innings in IPL 2026. The former wicketkeeper’s struggles have put added pressure on the rest of the batting line-up to carry momentum during the innings.
Captain Rishabh Pant, meanwhile, has scored 147 runs from six matches. Doull acknowledged that Pant did provide a major positive moment for the team—an unbeaten 68 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in a successful run chase—but argued that beyond such instances, Pant’s overall returns have not been enough to change the trajectory of the season.
In Doull’s assessment, Pant’s bat has delivered one win for Lucknow, yet the broader contribution from both Pant and Pooran has not justified the spending. He pointed out that the franchise has spent close to ₹50 crore (₹48 crore) on the pair, and claimed that their combined match-winning output has so far been limited to that single victory moment.
LSG’s season to date and next challenge
With just two wins from six matches, LSG are positioned ninth on the points table and have been unable to build any sustained momentum. Their victories have come against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders, but the team’s progress has been halted by the current streak of three successive defeats.
Now, the hosts will look to halt the slide and re-energise their campaign when they take on Rajasthan Royals at home on Wednesday. A win would be crucial for Lucknow as they aim to arrest the slump and close the gap in the race for playoff contention.
