New Delhi: An emotional video from Rishabh Pant After Lucknow Supergiants’ disastrous IPL 2026 campaign, thanking fans has gone viral on social media amid growing speculation over a change in leadership at the franchise.After another disappointing season, Lucknow Supergiants are reportedly eyeing a major reset after falling to the bottom of the 10-team standings. LSG have won just four of their 14 league matches this season, extending a worrying slump after finishing seventh. IPL 2025. Pant’s emotional address to supporters after the campaign quickly became a talking point online, with many fans interpreting it as a sign of the immense pressure around India’s wicketkeeper-batsman.Pant said in the viral clip, “Thank you so much. You know, it’s been a tough season. It’s been tough work…thank you for coming out, no matter what.” “We’re going to do well as a team. Let’s stick together… Thanks for being so trusting.”Look:Doubts of leadership grow after another poor season.The viral moment came days after the LSG Director of Cricket Tom Moody Pant openly admitted that he struggled with the pressure of captaincy during the campaign.“From a captaincy point of view, they found it challenging, obviously, and the results reflected that,” Moody said after LSG’s seven-wicket defeat against Punjab Kings in their last league game.“And you have to wonder if that pressure is reflected in his performance with the bat.”Under Pant’s leadership, LSG have managed just 10 wins in 28 matches in two IPL seasons. The franchise’s struggles have intensified the scrutiny on the wicketkeeper-batsman, especially when he was bought for Rs 27 crore.Pant’s decline in batting added to the concern.Pant’s problems have not been limited to captaincy. Once touted as one of India’s most devastating T20 batsmen, he has consistently failed to reproduce his maiden IPL spectacular since joining LSG.The left-hander had sensational seasons in 2018 and 2019, scoring 684 and 488 runs respectively at a strike rate above 160. In the last two seasons with LSG, however, Pant has managed just 581 runs at a strike rate of 135.74 – well below his IPL strike rate.The tough IPL campaign has also come with a setback in international cricket. Pant recently lost India’s Test vice-captaincy to KL Rahul and was dropped from the ODI squad.Moody indicated that major decisions can now be made within the franchise.“We didn’t live up to the expectation or the standard that we expect of ourselves,” Moody admitted.“It’s certainly something we will consider very seriously when it comes to the leadership of the franchise.”
