![Rishabh Pant with Justin Langer [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1777295353395_RishabhPantwithJustinLanger.jpg?type=hq)
Rishabh Pant with Justin Langer [Source: AFP]
The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) slumped to the bottom of the IPL 2026 points table after crashing to their fifth consecutive defeat. The latest of those setbacks occurred on Sunday, April 26, against the KKR, a side that had largely served as every team’s punching bag this season so far.
After Mohammed Shami struck a last-ball six to enforce a thrilling tie, hard-hitting LSG batters like Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram crumbled before Sunil Narine in a one-sided Super Over.
With fresh troubles mounting for the Rishabh Pant-led side, former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has unsheathed his sword of criticism towards the LSG think-tank.
Virender Sehwag questions Justin Langer, Williamson’s tactics
While speaking on Cricbuzz, former Indian opener Virender Sehwag took LSG captain Rishabh Pant and the team’s coaching staff to the sword. With LSG failing to chase down yet another total this IPL 2026 season, the cricket expert questioned captain Pant for opting to field first after winning the toss.
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Sehwag also targeted LSG’s coaching staff, comprising of the likes of head coach Justin Langer as well as Kane Williamson and Tom Moody. The ex-cricketer believes that the team should elect to bat first since chasing has not been working out for them.
He said “Lucknow Super Giants once again failed to chase down a total in this IPL. I just don’t understand. You have a Director of Cricket and a coach. Kane Williamson, Justin Langer and Tom Moody are all there. Inka kya dimag nahi chalta? Are they not able to see how their team has been performing? The team is not being able to bat, and still they are winning the toss and inviting the opposition to bat.”
Virender Sehwag added that even if the LSG franchise had failed to put up a competitive total upfront, hitherto cellar-dwellers KKR would still have coped the chasing pressure.
He added “If they won the toss and opted to bat first, even if they scored 140 to 150, the pressure would have been on KKR. I cannot understand this. You are not able to chase, but you are hell-bent and fixated on wanting to chase. Ye kahan ki samajhdari hai? Kaun le raha hai decisions?”
LSG slips to the bottom of IPL 2026 table
The outcome against the KKR marked LSG’s fifth straight defeat this IPL 2026 season. Overall, the Rishabh Pant-led franchise has procured six losses and just two wins from eight games.
As of now, they are holding a dismal NRR of -1.106, the worst among all sides in the 10-team event, and they are fittingly placed at the bottom of the points table.
LSG qualification scenario for IPL 2026 playoffs
To qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs, the LSG franchise need to win each of its remaining six league fixtures this season. In doing so, Rishabh Pant and co. will reach 16 points, a tally that has proven enough for all teams in reaching playoffs since the IPL became a 74-match event in 2022.
LSG can also make it to the top four by winning five of its remaining six matches. However, in such a scenario, the team might be required to heavily rely on its NRR, which is already dwindling in the negative.
LSG will now face the Mumbai Indians in match 47 of the IPL 2026 season on May 4 in Mumbai.
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