Is Justin Langer leaving LSG? [Source: AFP]Hours ahead of the IPL 2026 Qualifier 2, the most expensive player in the league, Rishabh Pant, was relieved of his captaincy duties by the Lucknow Super Giants after the end of another disappointing campaign. Director of Cricket, Tom Moody, revealed that it was Pant's personal decision to leave the role and help the team rebuild in IPL 2027.As Pant was relieved from the captaincy, the attention now moves to head coach Justin Langer. Langer has been in the position for four seasons now, and it looked like his tenure was coming to its natural end, and the franchise would look to restructure until the latest reports emerged.LSG's Lacklustre IPL 2026The Lucknow Super Giants missed out on the qualification in IPL 2025, having finished with only 12 points in 14 matches. Heading into the new season, the expectations were higher after the squad had spent significant time together.However, throughout the season, things went south for LSG. While they waited for Josh Inglis' arrival, they tested four different opening partners for Mitchell Marsh, including Rishabh Pant. Nothing worked out in the batting, and they also played Nicholas Pooran out of his natural top-3 positions.During the first half, the bowling attack, led by Prince Yadav, proved to be consistent, but when the batting eventually clicked with Pooran back at 3 and Josh Inglis opening, the bowlers started conceding runs. Overall, things did not work out together for them.They finished the season in 10th place, with only four wins in 14 matches, leading to Pant's resignation from captaincy. After 28 matches, Pant finished with 10 wins and 18 losses, i.e., 35.71 per cent win record.Also Read: When Sanjiv Goenka Said Rishabh Pant Will Win 5 IPL Trophies In Next 15 YearsWill Justin Langer leave LSG as head coach?In the middle of the season, Rishabh Pant had complained about receiving too many suggestions during the matches after they lost the super over to KKR. He reiterated it on another couple of occasions subsequently, which raised eyebrows towards Justin Langer and co.Since his time as the Australian head coach, Langer is known to be a strict task master, who would often intimidate players unknowingly. In his four seasons with LSG, they have only reached the playoffs once in 2023.However, despite one playoff in four seasons, according to the TOI report, it is likely that Justin Langer will be retained as the head coach for IPL 2027. What happens to the rest of the think tank, including Kane Williamson, Tom Moody, etc., remains to be seenWho will replace Pant for LSG captaincy?Interestingly, the LSG team consists of several leadership options — some more proven than Rishabh Pant as well.Among the prominent names who can be given the captaincy include Aiden Markram, who has won two SA20 titles with Sunrisers Eastern Cape and also led South Africa to the T20 World Cup 2024 final and 2026 semi-final. Australia's T20I captain, Mitchell Marsh, is also a name who can be given the role.Finally, Nicholas Pooran, who leads teams around the world, is an option as well; however, he looks lower down the pecking order due to his performances with the bat.Also Read: Rishabh Pant Exit As LSG Captain Gets Netizens Flood Internet With Memes
