Sourav Ganguly raises concerns over Rishabh Pant’s T20 adaptation and leadership – Sourav Ganguly Analyzes Rishabh Pant’s Struggles in T20 Cricket and Captaincy
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The Challenges Facing Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant, once celebrated as one of the most explosive and talented batters in modern cricket, has faced a challenging period in his professional career. Despite securing a record-breaking deal of INR 27 crore with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the wicketkeeper-batter has struggled to find his rhythm over the last two years. This slump has become a major talking point in cricket circles, drawing scrutiny from experts and legends alike.
Former Team India captain Sourav Ganguly recently provided insight into the situation. In an interview with the Times of India, Ganguly addressed the decline, suggesting that the intersection of poor form and the heavy responsibility of leadership might be the primary culprits.
The Burden of Captaincy
Captaincy is often described as a double-edged sword. For some cricketers, the added responsibility acts as a catalyst for growth, helping them elevate their game. However, for others, the weight of the leadership role can disrupt their natural flow. According to Ganguly, Pant appears to fall into the latter category, having struggled significantly since taking the reins at LSG.
During his tenure as captain for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, the team’s performance mirrored his own. In those two years, LSG played 28 matches, managing only 10 victories against 18 defeats—a win percentage of just 35.7%. The team finished 7th in 2025 and slumped to the bottom of the table in 2026. This downward trend has coincided with recurring physical injuries that have interrupted his momentum on the field.
Statistical Decline in the IPL
The numbers reflect a clear dip in individual performance. In the 2025 season, Pant managed 269 runs at an average of 24.45. While there was a slight uptick in 2026, where he scored 312 runs in 13 innings at an average of 28.36, these figures remain well below his potential. For context, his career IPL average stands at 33.60 across 136 innings, indicating that his recent form is significantly lower than his established standards.
Ganguly’s Assessment
Sourav Ganguly remains a staunch admirer of Pant’s inherent talent, particularly in the longer format of the game. He firmly believes that Pant is a world-class Test match player. However, the transition to the demands of T20 cricket and the high-pressure environment of captaincy remains a hurdle he has yet to clear.
Reflecting on the nature of leadership, Ganguly stated, “He’s a very good Test player. His Test match batting is world-class. He’s still finding it tough to adapt to T20 cricket. I hope he does because he’s got enormous talent. Captaincy is a burden on everyone. It’s how you handle it. But then you want to be captain, don’t you? You want to be captain because it’s a huge honour. So you will have to get that balance right. You do it, or somebody else will.”
Looking Ahead
The road back to form for Rishabh Pant will require a delicate balance. As Ganguly points out, the desire for leadership is natural for any top-tier athlete, but it demands an evolution in mindset. Whether Pant can reclaim his explosive T20 form while managing the rigors of leadership remains one of the most intriguing storylines in the IPL landscape. For now, the cricketing world waits to see if the talented southpaw can rediscover the brilliance that made him a global superstar.
