“Not working”: Former MI head coach urged Rishabh Pant to give up leadership rol – Not working: Former MI head coach urged Rishabh Pant to give up leadership role

The Pressure of Captaincy: Is Rishabh Pant Struggling?

The landscape of the Indian Premier League is unforgiving, and few stars have felt that pressure as acutely as Rishabh Pant recently. Following two consecutive, difficult seasons for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the franchise’s skipper has found himself at the center of a heated debate regarding his future. With experts weighing in on his performance, the consensus seems to be shifting toward a radical solution: stepping down from the captaincy to focus entirely on his craft as a batter.

Mark Boucher’s Blunt Assessment

Former South African wicketkeeper and ex-Mumbai Indians head coach Mark Boucher did not mince words when discussing Pant’s situation on ESPNcricinfo Timeout. Boucher suggested that the burden of leadership might be stifling one of India’s most dynamic talents. According to Boucher, the combination of Pant’s role as a leader and his responsibilities as a primary batter is simply not yielding the desired results.

“Rishabh Pant, the cricketer and his leadership are not working together. We have seen that for a couple of seasons now. He hasn’t produced what he is expected to produce,” Boucher noted. The former coach emphasized that while some players thrive under the added tactical responsibility, it may not be the right fit for Pant’s natural, instinctive style of play. Boucher added, “If the captaincy is getting in the way, then get rid of the captaincy.”

The Statistical Reality

The numbers from the 2026 season paint a complex picture. Pant featured in 14 matches, scoring 312 runs at a strike rate of 138. While this reflects a marginal improvement over his previous campaign, it remains well below the standards expected of an elite international player, especially one who arrived at the franchise as the most expensive acquisition in IPL auction history—purchased for a staggering INR 27 crores.

Under his leadership, LSG has struggled significantly. Over the past two seasons, Pant has led the team in 28 matches, managing only 10 victories—a win percentage of approximately 35.71%. The 2026 season proved to be particularly difficult, with the Super Giants finishing at the bottom of the points table with only eight points to their name.

Ambati Rayudu’s Perspective

It is not just Boucher who believes a change is necessary. Former Chennai Super Kings batter Ambati Rayudu has offered a nuanced take on the situation. Rayudu argues that Pant’s game is built on instinct rather than methodical planning, and forcing a different approach could be detrimental to his performance.

“For someone who always relies on instinct, it is so hard for him to prepare everything and be methodical in terms of his decisions,” Rayudu remarked. “Either you give him captaincy and let him be the way he is, or you don’t give him captaincy. He cannot change his personality overnight. If that is not working, the best thing he can do is be a player and enjoy his cricket and perform for the team.”

What Lies Ahead for Rishabh Pant?

The debate highlights a classic dilemma in modern cricket: the balance between leadership and individual output. When a player is brought in for a massive fee, the expectations are twofold—they must act as a strategic leader and provide consistent, explosive batting. Currently, the narrative surrounding Pant suggests that the team might be better served if he were released from the tactical constraints of captaincy.

As the dust settles on another IPL season, the management of the Lucknow Super Giants will face critical decisions. Whether they choose to heed the advice of legends like Boucher and Rayudu remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the cricket world is eager to see the return of the fearless, free-scoring Rishabh Pant that first captured the imagination of fans globally. For now, the question of whether he remains at the helm or returns to being a pure specialist batter will continue to be a hot topic in the lead-up to the next auction cycle.