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

The Crisis at Lucknow Super Giants

The conclusion of the IPL 2026 season has left the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) franchise in a state of introspection following a dismal finish at the bottom of the points table. After suffering a heavy defeat against the Punjab Kings in their final outing, the reality of the season hit home: just four wins in fourteen matches. At the center of this storm is captain Rishabh Pant, whose tenure at the helm of the franchise has come under intense scrutiny.

A Troubling Statistical Record

The numbers paint a bleak picture for Pant’s leadership. Over the course of the last two seasons, the talented wicketkeeper-batter has led the team in 28 matches, enduring 18 losses. More concerningly, the franchise has failed to secure a place in the Playoffs during his tenure. Compounding the team’s collective failure is the decline in Pant’s individual performance. Having managed only 312 runs at an average of 28.36 throughout the recent campaign, the pressure on his position has never been greater.

The Advice from Ambati Rayudu

Former Indian cricket star Ambati Rayudu has been vocal about the path forward for the Delhi-born cricketer. In a pointed assessment, Rayudu has suggested that Rishabh Pant Warned Against Following MS Dhoni With LSG Captaincy At Stake due to a mismatch in leadership philosophies. Rayudu notes that while Pant looks to Dhoni as an idol, his own instinctive and impulsive decision-making style is failing to resonate with the current LSG coaching setup.

“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 stated. He further emphasized that the most prudent move for Pant would be to relinquish the leadership duties and focus entirely on his role as a batsman and wicketkeeper, allowing him to return to his natural, aggressive game.

Historical Context: The Dhoni Model

While MS Dhoni’s intuitive leadership paved the way for multiple titles with the Chennai Super Kings, history suggests that this style is not a universal solution. Even for Dhoni himself, the approach faced challenges during his time with the Rising Pune Supergiants. In 2017, the team management made the difficult decision to move on from Dhoni as captain in favor of Steve Smith. This historical precedent adds weight to the argument that replicating a legend’s style is no guarantee of success, especially when the team dynamic does not naturally align with that methodology.

Critique and Future Outlook

Throughout the 2026 season, critics pointed to a variety of technical flaws in Pant’s leadership, including questionable field placements, erratic death-over bowling strategies, and confusing use of the Impact Player rule. The mental burden of being the most expensive player in the franchise’s history—purchased for a staggering Rs 27 crore—appears to have weighed heavily on him.

LSG Director of Cricket, Tom Moody, has confirmed that the organization is at a crossroads. Moody stated that the franchise will undergo a serious review process regarding its leadership structure before the commencement of the 2027 season. The club must now decide whether to persist with their high-priced star as a leader or to strip away the captaincy, hoping that a lack of administrative burden will unlock the explosive batting form that made him a household name in the first place.

Ultimately, the transition for Rishabh Pant is about survival and growth. By stepping back from the responsibilities of captaincy, he may find the mental clarity required to dominate bowling attacks once again, turning his career trajectory back toward the heights expected of him.