Rishabh Pant (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)
New Delhi: Although Lucknow Supergiants registered a win. Chennai Super Kings The captain’s frustration was palpable at the Ekna Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Friday. Rishabh PantAfter the face of Nicholas Puran In the 17th over gone hammer and tongs, with four consecutive sixes off Anshul Kamboj to seal LSG’s chase, Pant quietly rose from his seat in the dugout and hugged his teammates. The victory was important, but for an already depleted LSG side, it meant nothing in the bigger picture.In the post-match press conference, Pant reflected on a disappointing IPL 2026 season despite the win. LSG have endured a poor campaign and are bottom of the table with just four wins and eight defeats from 12 matches. “It feels good. It sure feels good to get a win. We’re something we talk about, a lot to play for, no matter where our season ends up. We are very proud to play like this,” said Pant.After Akash Singh took three wickets to help CSK restrict LSG to 187/5, the hosts chased down a sensational, Mitchell MarshA brilliant innings of 90 off 38 balls and late fireworks from Pooran saw CSK beat by seven wickets in just 16.4 overs.Akash, who was making his IPL debut, took three wickets, including valuable scalps from Sanju Samson, Rituraj Gaikwad and Arul Patel.Sharing the new ball with Mohammad Shami, Akash conceded seven runs in his opening over. In his second over, he dismissed CSK skipper Gaekwad for 13 runs. He struck again in his third over, dismissing star batsman Samson for 20 runs. Pant then trusted him with his fourth consecutive over, and the young pacer dismissed Arul Patel for six in reply.“Look (on Akash Singh), for sure he has been working hard throughout the IPL. You know sometimes it is difficult to give everyone a game. But when people are really well-prepared and it’s a guy, that sticks to the plan more often than not. So yeah, it definitely paid off. The way he bowled, he stuck to the plan for a long time. It’s really good to see,” said Pant.Pant also opened up about the decision to send in two foreign batsmen – Marsh and Josh Inglis – to open the innings, an experience that has paid off for LSG. The two put together a solid opening stand of 135 runs.“(Regarding the opening partnership – was that what they had in mind?) It was definitely the first thought to have two foreign players open the innings and Nicky batting at number three. That was the idea, sometimes it’s difficult when the thought process isn’t followed all the time. But at the same time we feel proud as a team and we’re confident. The only thing is when you as a team know what you’re going to say. Just because of the thought process here and there. And you can’t enforce things as you like, things can happen,” Pant added.Asked if LSG is close to breaking the winning formula at their home ground, Pant said:“(Do you think you’re close to creating a formula for success on this home ground of yours?) We’ve been practicing and it’s working for us, four fast bowlers, especially in home conditions, depending on what we play, definitely works for us. At the same time, the team we have, I’m going to say it again, it’s amazing. Only one thing will hurt us. [is] There are a lot of processes,” he said.On batting lower down the order and not coming first, Pant explained:“I was ready to bat and the idea came, I was in the dressing room, the idea came, why not try players who haven’t played much, they haven’t got many opportunities. And that was the idea, I kept thinking, should I do it or not? Because I still wanted to play, but sometimes you have to respect the decision of the think tanks.”LSG will next face Rajasthan Royals on May 23.
