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

A Season to Forget for the Lucknow Super Giants

The conclusion of the IPL 2026 season has brought a wave of introspection for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). After suffering a heavy defeat against the Punjab Kings in their final outing, the team plummeted to the bottom of the points table, capping off a nightmare campaign. With only four wins in 14 matches, the franchise is now facing a pivotal crossroads, specifically regarding the leadership of star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant.

Since taking the helm, Pant has struggled to galvanize the squad. Across 28 matches under his tenure, the team has lost 18, failing to qualify for the playoffs in consecutive years. This lack of success has turned the spotlight squarely onto his captaincy style and his personal performance.

Ambati Rayudu’s Critical Assessment

Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has been vocal about the underlying issues plaguing Pant’s leadership. Rayudu believes that the primary problem lies in Pant’s attempt to emulate the legendary MS Dhoni. While Dhoni’s instinct-based captaincy brought immense success to the Chennai Super Kings, Rayudu argues that the style is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution.

“His 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,” Rayudu explained. He further emphasized that the impulsive nature of this style, while occasionally brilliant, has led to confusion within the LSG camp, leading to poor tactical choices in critical game moments.

The Burden of Expectations

Rishabh Pant arrived at LSG with the heavy tag of being the most expensive player in IPL history, secured for a staggering Rs 27 crore. This immense investment created an atmosphere of high pressure, which seems to have weighed heavily on his shoulders. Beyond the strategic blunders—such as questionable field placements and erratic death-overs bowling plans—Pant’s own batting form has plummeted. Scoring only 312 runs at an average of 28.36 is a far cry from the explosive performances expected of him.

Rayudu suggests that the best path forward for the young cricketer is to shed the captaincy mantle. By returning to his roots as a pure player, Pant could potentially rediscover the freedom and rhythm that made him a global superstar in the first place.

Historical Precedents and Future Uncertainties

It is worth noting that even for MS Dhoni, the instinctive style was not always a guarantee of success. History points to the 2017 season with the Rising Pune Supergiants, where even the great Dhoni faced the removal of his captaincy duties in favor of Steve Smith. This historical context provides a cautionary tale for franchises attempting to replicate a model that may not suit the specific dynamics of their team.

LSG Director of Cricket Tom Moody has confirmed that the franchise is entering a period of deep review. “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,” Moody stated. This official acknowledgement indicates that change is imminent.

The Path Ahead

For Rishabh Pant, the path ahead requires a cold, hard look at his career trajectory. His talent is undeniable, yet the current evidence suggests that the leadership burden is stifling his natural game. Whether the franchise decides to relieve him of his duties or push for a strategic shift in his approach remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: the focus must shift from mimicking past icons to building a strategy that empowers his unique brand of cricket. The upcoming off-season will be crucial in determining whether Pant remains the face of LSG’s future or if he will be liberated from the pressure of the captaincy to focus solely on his contributions as a world-class athlete.