In what comes as a massive blow for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), their skipper Rishabh Pant has walked off the field, retired hurt, after taking a blow to his left arm in the clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 15 (Wednesday). The ball hit him on his elbow and was visibly uncomfortable. The physios had a quick check after which it was decided that the wicketkeeper-batter would walk off in this crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash.
Pant, who came into the crease following Aiden Markram’s dismissal, played three balls and failed to get off the mark. In fact, he did not connect a single delivery despite swinging wildly against Josh Hazlewood. In his four innings this season, Pant slammed 7, 68*, 10, and 18.
Pant returns
In fact, in his previous game against RCB, he smashed an unbeaten 118 off just 61 deliveries in Lucknow, and his side would have hoped for a similar sort of knock. However, he could not make an impact in the game as he was dismissed for just one off six deliveries.
He came in to bat in the final ball of the 16th over and played just three more balls before a brilliant catch from Phil Salt at deep mid-wicket ended the LSG skipper’s innings. At the time of Pant’s dismissal, LSG were tottering at 124/6 with 19 more balls left in the innings.
Moreover, he did not return to keep wickets as well, with Mukul Chaudhary donning the gloves as LSG look to defend 146. In Pant’s absence, Nicholas Pooran will lead the side.
LSG are currently seventh on the points table, with two wins from four matches so far. They will hope for a better showing in 2026 after finishing last season in seventh place, winning just six matches.
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