Pant admitted LSG were short of the total they could have posted after a strong start, and suggested luck may also be needed for the turnaround.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nLanger points to practice form as evidence of a return to rhythm<\/h2>\n
With attention focused on Pant\u2019s batting form and on how the captain has been reshuffling the batting order, Langer offered a clear defence. He revealed that, behind the scenes, he had seen enough recently to believe Pant was ready to contribute at the highest level.<\/p>\n
Langer said the team played a practice game just two days earlier, where Pant produced an eye-catching performance. In his telling, Pant struck around 95 runs off a small number of balls\u2014described as either 40 or 30\u2014leaving the management convinced they were seeing the \u201cbest\u201d version of Pant.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe played a practice game here two days ago, and Rishi\u2026 maybe 95 off 40 or 30 balls,\u201d Langer explained. \u201cYou look at it and you go, \u2018Oh my gosh, that\u2019s Rishabh Pant at his very best.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that the team\u2019s confidence is rooted in what Pant has done before, citing his ability to wreck bowling attacks in Test cricket when batting at number five. Langer suggested that this kind of form could translate into the match situation, and that the changes made around the batting setup were not random.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, he\u2019s a very good player; we know that,\u201d Langer said, referencing Pant\u2019s Test success. \u201cWe felt today\u2026 it might be a good option for the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Batting-order call explained as a selfless move<\/h2>\n
Pant\u2019s approach in the match drew debate because he chose to push himself down the order, creating space for Nicholas Pooran to bat higher. Langer addressed the criticism directly, framing the call as a selfless decision designed to maximise the team\u2019s impact.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe selflessly moved down the order to let Nicky P bat, whose batting was unbelievable,\u201d Langer said. Pooran, he noted, delivered a rapid knock of 63 off just 21 balls, reinforcing the idea that the captain\u2019s sacrifice had a clear strategic purpose.<\/p>\n
Langer also spoke about captaincy in the IPL, arguing that the role demands constant presence and responsibility even when results are not going the team\u2019s way. He suggested Pant\u2019s leadership will continue, and that the team can benefit if the captain\u2019s preparation leads to better outcomes.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a captain in the IPL\u2026 you\u2019ve got to keep fronting up,\u201d Langer added. \u201cThat\u2019s all you can do, and he\u2019ll keep fronting up and hopefully help us get some wins.\u201d<\/p>\n
Price tag concerns dismissed; pressure from leadership highlighted<\/h2>\n
Another talking point around Pant has been the scrutiny connected to his record price. Langer dismissed the notion that money is playing a role in Pant\u2019s performances.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, I don\u2019t think the money has anything to do with it\u2026 leadership is a tough position, you\u2019re carrying lots of pressure, and he knows that,\u201d Langer said. \u201cHe\u2019s working hard\u2026 and he\u2019s not far off.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pant admits LSG were short after a strong start<\/h2>\n
Despite Langer\u2019s defence, Pant himself acknowledged that LSG did not convert a promising beginning into a match-winning total. He suggested the team should have closed the innings with more runs.<\/p>\n
\u201cDefinitely, the way we started, I think we should have gotten more runs\u2026 we were short 10-15 runs because it was a 220-230 wicket,\u201d Pant said.<\/p>\n
While he avoided pinning blame on the bowlers, Pant indicated that turning the results around will require both improvement and a measure of favourable breaks. He said the team is likely to need some good fortune, along with additional effort.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we need some good luck\u2026 and it\u2019s going to take some more effort from us, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
LSG look for practice momentum to become match-winning runs<\/h2>\n
With playoff hopes now hanging by a thread, LSG will be hoping that what Langer described in training can quickly show up in the pressure of match play. The club\u2019s next challenge is to turn close-but-not-enough innings, including the runs Pant believes were left on the table, into totals that can survive the final overs and deliver the wins their position demands.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer has publicly backed captain Rishabh Pant after yet another tough IPL 2026 outing, insisting the wicketkeeper-batter is close…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7547,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"IPL 2026: Justin Langer Backs Rishabh Pant After MI","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Justin Langer backs Rishabh Pant after LSG\u2019s loss to MI in IPL 2026, saying the captain is close to regaining his best form.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7549","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n
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