Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) suffered a disappointing defeat against Delhi Capitals (DC) at their home ground, Ekana Stadium. Rishabh Pant's actions during this match were uncharacteristic, prompting Ambati Rayudu to comment on his performance and leadership as the captain.
Pant held himself back when LSG struggled to put runs on the board after a promising start. He was expected to bat at number 4 or number 5 but came in later, after using Ayush Badoni as an impact player. Pant came to the crease in the last over with just two balls left and was dismissed for a two-ball duck by Mukesh Kumar, who claimed his fourth wicket of the match.
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Rishabh Pant Visible Struggles
His batting was not the only concern; his body language during the second innings suggested frustration and defeat as his team was defeated comfortably by Delhi Capitals by 8 wickets. He appeared unable to express himself as a captain throughout the match, from the toss to the final delivery.
There were reports that he injured his hand, which may have affected his batting position, but Pant did not address this issue during the post-match ceremony.
Also Read: DC Crush LSG by 8 Wickets as KL Rahul and Abhishek Porel Shine with Fifties
Ambati Rayadu's Suggestion
Commenting on the situation, Ambati Rayudu expressed on Star Sports that Pant needs to take more responsibility as captain, insisting that he should make decisions independently without external influence.
"I feel Pant really needs to take the onus on himself. He must take decisions on his own. Sometimes, these visuals are not good for a team that aspires to do well. Everything should be kept behind closed doors," said the former Indian cricketer.
Overall, Rishabh Pant had a tough day on the field, struggling both with the bat and in his role as captain. Rayudu and others believe he should bat higher up the order and take greater responsibility.
"Pant needs to take control of the decisions being made at LSG. He needs to come up the order. He cannot make any more excuses. He is the captain, and this is a captain's sport. We all acknowledge that," Rayudu added.
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So far, Pant has had a poor start to the season, accumulating only 106 runs at a strike rate of 97.65, which is below his usual standard in this format. With half of the season remaining, the highly regarded player is expected to find his form and lead his team to a playoff spot. LSG's next match is against Mumbai Indians on April 27th, following a four-day break.
