Former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock has questioned Rishabh Pant’s leadership after the Lucknow Super Giants slipped to another defeat in IPL 2026, this time against the Mumbai Indians. The loss all but ended LSG’s playoff hopes and added more pressure on Pant, who has struggled both as captain and batter this season.

For LSG, this was a seventh defeat of the campaign and Pant’s 15th loss as captain overall. His own batting numbers have also been below par, with 204 runs in nine matches at an average of 25.5 and a strike rate of 128.3. But Pollock’s biggest concern was not just the lack of runs. It was the way Pant handled his bowling options during a lopsided chase at Wankhede Stadium.

Speaking on Cricbuzz, Pollock said Pant’s use of bowlers looked predictable and ineffective, especially in a high-scoring contest where flexibility was essential. He questioned why Aiden Markram was not used as an extra bowling option and why LSG relied on only five bowlers in a match that demanded more variation.

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“They also used only five bowlers and didn’t go to the extra option of Aiden Markram,” Shaun Pollock said. “Someone like Avesh Khan, his strength has always been pounding the good length. Here, he was running up and trying to bowl yorkers. And they were knee high, getting smacked away.”

Pollock also felt LSG misread the conditions and failed to back their bowlers’ natural strengths. In his view, Avesh Khan was asked to bowl outside his preferred range, which only worsened the damage.

“Bowlers have to realise what their strength is and stick to it,” he added. “By bringing in Inglis, they missed out on an international bowler, which probably would have served the balance better.”

LSG had posted a competitive 229, but the match slipped away quickly when Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton stitched together a 143-run opening stand off just 65 balls. Pollock said Pant’s side never looked like it had a clear plan to break the partnership or slow the scoring rate.

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“Sometimes in such games, it almost looks like you are aimless as a captain,” Shaun Pollock said. “It didn’t look like they went to something unique, but more a case of hoping the MI openers get out.” LSG now turn their focus to a crucial home clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 7.