Sourav Ganguly raises concerns over Rishabh Pant’s T20 adaptation and leadership – Sourav Ganguly Analyzes Rishabh Pant’s Struggles in T20 Cricket and Captaincy

The Weight of the Captain’s Armband

Rishabh Pant has long been heralded as one of the most dynamic and talented batters in modern cricket. However, his recent tenure at the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) has drawn significant scrutiny. After being acquired for a record-breaking INR 27 crore, expectations were sky-high. Unfortunately, both his personal form and the team’s standing have suffered over the past two seasons, leading many—including legends of the game—to analyze exactly where things have gone wrong.

Ganguly’s Assessment of a World-Class Talent

In a recent conversation with the Times of India, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly weighed in on the situation. Ganguly, who has mentored many young talents, remains a firm believer in Pant’s natural ability, particularly in the longest format of the game. However, he expressed concern regarding Pant’s transition into the rigors of T20 leadership.

“He’s a very good Test player. His Test match batting is world-class,” Ganguly remarked. He further noted that the transition to the frantic pace of T20 cricket is where the wicketkeeper-batter is currently struggling to find his footing. Despite his immense natural talent, the adjustments required for the shortest format seem to be elusive at this stage in his career.

The Burden of Leadership

One of the central themes of the discussion was the impact of captaincy on a player’s performance. For some, the responsibility of leading a side acts as a catalyst for excellence; for others, it becomes an anchor that weighs down their personal output. Pant’s record as the LSG skipper suggests he is currently in the latter category.

Over the 2025 and 2026 seasons, Pant led LSG in 28 matches, managing only 10 victories against 18 losses. This equates to a win percentage of approximately 35.7%. The team’s performance mirrored this decline, finishing 7th in 2025 and slumping to the bottom of the table in the 2026 campaign.

Statistical Deep Dive: A Dip in Form

The numbers illustrate a clear decline in productivity when compared to his overall career averages. Pant has accumulated 3,865 runs in his IPL career across 136 innings, maintaining a respectable average of 33.60. In contrast, his recent contributions have been underwhelming:

• IPL 2025: 269 runs at an average of 24.45.
• IPL 2026: 312 runs at an average of 28.36 across 13 innings.

These averages fall significantly short of his established career standards, suggesting that the mental and tactical load of captaincy may be detracting from his focus at the crease.

Finding the Right Balance

Ganguly emphasized that while captaincy is a prestigious honor that every player aspires to, it demands a level of emotional and tactical maturity that can take time to cultivate. He stated, “Captaincy is a burden on everyone. It’s how you handle it. But then you want to be captain, don’t you? You want to be captain because it’s a huge honour. So you will have to get that balance right. You do it, or somebody else will.”

Beyond the mental strain, Pant has also had to contend with a series of recurring injuries, which have frequently disrupted his rhythm and momentum. Maintaining consistency in a high-pressure environment like the IPL requires peak physical fitness and mental clarity, two areas that appear to be major hurdles for the LSG captain right now.

Looking Ahead

The path forward for Rishabh Pant is clear: he must rediscover the spark that made him a global sensation. While his prowess in Test cricket is undeniable, the T20 arena is unforgiving to those who cannot adapt their game plan to the relentless pressure of leadership. As the cricketing world watches, the question remains whether Pant can learn to shed the “burden” of the captaincy and return to the explosive, free-flowing batter that fans adore. The talent is undoubtedly there; the challenge now lies in execution and finding that critical balance between leading the team and delivering individual match-winning performances.