Rishabh Pant Warned Against Following MS Dhoni With LSG Captaincy At Stake

The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign concluded on a disheartening note for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who suffered another significant defeat against Punjab Kings on Saturday. This loss dramatically pushed LSG to the very bottom of the points table, capping off what many are calling a nightmare season for captain Rishabh Pant and his squad. The team managed a meager four victories from 14 matches, accumulating only eight points, a performance that has inevitably led to intense scrutiny and serious questions regarding Pant’s continuation as captain.

Rishabh Pant’s Captaincy Under Serious Scrutiny

Rishabh Pant’s leadership tenure at Lucknow has been fraught with challenges since the previous season. Across 28 matches, the team has registered a staggering 18 losses, and, crucially, failed to qualify for the playoffs in both seasons under his command. This consistent underperformance has naturally placed his captaincy under a glaring spotlight, with fans and pundits alike dissecting every decision and outcome.

Beyond the team’s collective struggles, Pant’s individual batting form has also witnessed a noticeable decline. A player renowned for his explosive hitting and match-winning capabilities, Pant managed to score only 312 runs this season at an average of 28.36. While not disastrous, these figures fall considerably short of the high expectations associated with a cricketer of his caliber, raising concerns that the burden of captaincy might be impacting his natural game.

Ambati Rayudu’s Insightful Advice to Rishabh Pant

In the wake of LSG’s tumultuous season, former India international and astute cricket commentator, Ambati Rayudu, has offered crucial advice to Rishabh Pant. Rayudu has suggested that Pant consider stepping down from the captaincy role to fully concentrate on his primary skill set: his batting. According to Rayudu, Pant’s leadership style bears a striking resemblance to that of his idol, MS Dhoni, characterized by an instinct-based approach. However, Rayudu asserts that this particular style has not yielded positive results for Pant thus far.

Rayudu elaborated on his observations, stating, “His (Pant’s) idol has always been MS Dhoni. We have seen him talk about him, and MS Dhoni’s captaincy is very, very similar. He is very instinctive, so he might be following that path, which the coaching staff might not be compatible with.” This highlights a potential disconnect between Pant’s impulsive decision-making and the strategic frameworks preferred by the coaching unit. Rayudu added, “So, there are so many things; unless and until we hear from Pant as to what his captaincy style is, we can only assume what he’s going through or what he’s thinking. But from the looks of it, he is very, very instinctive and impulsive sometimes. I think the best thing he can do is play as a player.” This counsel underscores the belief that Pant’s natural talent might be stifled by the pressures and responsibilities of leadership, suggesting a return to a pure player role could unlock his full potential.

The Dhoni Captaincy Model: A Double-Edged Sword for Pant

MS Dhoni is universally acclaimed for his calm demeanor and unparalleled instinctive captaincy, a style that has been instrumental in Chennai Super Kings (CSK) securing multiple IPL titles over the years. Dhoni’s ability to make split-second decisions and trust his gut feelings has often turned matches in CSK’s favor, earning him the moniker “Captain Cool.”

However, the attempt to replicate or emulate Dhoni’s unique leadership model has not proven successful for Rishabh Pant. It is crucial to remember that even Dhoni’s highly effective instinctive leadership encountered challenges during his stint with the Rising Pune Supergiants. In 2017, the franchise owner, Sanjiv Goenka, made the significant decision to remove Dhoni from the captaincy, appointing Steve Smith as the new skipper. This historical precedent serves as a powerful reminder that even the most successful formulas are not universally applicable and require specific contexts to thrive. Consequently, many cricket experts and commentators now believe that Pant should seriously consider stepping down from the captaincy and focusing solely on his role as a wicketkeeper-batsman, allowing him to play with the unburdened freedom for which he is renowned.

Why Rishabh Pant’s Captaincy Has Faced Consistent Criticism

Rishabh Pant’s captaincy has been a consistent subject of criticism throughout the recent IPL season, with several aspects drawing sharp scrutiny from analysts and former players. Experts have frequently pointed out instances of poor field placements, particularly during crucial phases of matches, which allowed opposition batsmen to score freely. Confusing bowling plans in the death overs also became a recurring issue, leading to LSG conceding valuable runs at critical junctures. Furthermore, questionable review decisions, often taken at the wrong time or based on dubious advice, deprived the team of precious opportunities to dismiss key batsmen. The timing of Impact Player substitutions also emerged as a major talking point, with decisions sometimes appearing counter-intuitive or ineffective in changing the game’s momentum.

Adding to these on-field tactical challenges, the immense pressure of being the most expensive player in IPL history may have significantly affected Pant mentally. LSG acquired him for a staggering Rs 27 crore ahead of the 2025 season, an investment that immediately generated massive expectations from both fans and the franchise management. Unfortunately, Pant struggled to consistently deliver with the bat, failing to live up to his price tag, and his leadership, as evidenced by the team’s performance, also fell short of the high standards anticipated. This dual burden of performance and leadership, combined with the financial valuation, appears to have weighed heavily on the young captain.

The Franchise’s Stance: A Leadership Review on the Horizon

The seriousness of the situation was further underscored by official statements from the Lucknow Super Giants management. Following the final match of the season, LSG Director of Cricket, Tom Moody, openly admitted that the franchise intends to conduct a thorough and serious review of the leadership situation before the commencement of the next season. Moody’s direct comments, “When it comes to the leadership of the franchise, that is something we will be giving very serious consideration to in terms of what it looks like in the future,” leave no room for ambiguity regarding the potential for a change at the helm. This confirms that Pant’s captaincy is not merely a topic of public debate but a critical internal matter for the franchise.

Re-evaluating Rishabh Pant’s Role for Future Success

Rishabh Pant remains, without a doubt, one of India’s most naturally gifted and exciting cricketers. His aggressive batting style and ability to single-handedly turn matches have made him a fan favorite and a vital asset for any team. However, the responsibilities of captaincy currently appear to be impacting his innate game, perhaps leading to a cautiousness or overthinking that is uncharacteristic of his explosive talent. At this pivotal stage of his career, a strategic decision to step away from leadership could prove to be incredibly beneficial for Pant. Focusing exclusively on his wicketkeeping and batting roles might just be the catalyst he needs to rediscover his confidence, reclaim his batting rhythm, and once again play with the uninhibited freedom that has defined his most successful performances. Such a move could allow him to re-establish himself as a formidable force with the bat, ultimately serving both his personal career and the team’s long-term interests more effectively.