Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has weighed in on the ongoing changes at the Lucknow Super Giants, suggesting that the franchise should seriously evaluate its support staff structure after former skipper Rishabh Pant stepped down from the captaincy following a disappointing IPL 2026 campaign. Lucknow endured a forgettable season, finishing at the bottom of the points table with just four wins from 14 matches.

Shortly after the campaign ended, Pant decided to relinquish the captaincy, a move the franchise officially accepted. The decision has sparked discussions about the team’s direction, leadership, and support system heading into IPL 2027. Writing in his column for Sportstar, Gavaskar pointed to Pant’s repeated comments about having “too many voices” around him during the season. The batting great suggested that the remarks reflected deeper issues within the franchise’s management structure and coaching setup.

According to Sunil Gavaskar, Pant’s observations were far from complimentary toward the support staff and raised important questions about how decision-making was handled within the team.

“Rishabh Pant stepping down as captain is the first major leadership change ahead of next season, and there could be several more across franchises,” Sunil Gavaskar noted.

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“He mentioned on more than one occasion that there were too many voices in his ear and too many thought processes. That is certainly not a compliment to the support staff,” he added.

Pant arrived at Lucknow ahead of IPL 2025 for a record ₹27 crore fee, carrying enormous expectations. However, neither the player nor the franchise has produced the desired results over the last two seasons. LSG consistently struggled for momentum, while Pant also failed to make a significant impact with the bat.

Gavaskar believes the franchise now faces an important decision regarding its backroom setup. He questioned whether Lucknow would respond to Pant’s concerns by streamlining its support staff and creating a clearer chain of command. “Talk is easy and often cheap. Big claims from coaches can generate headlines, but cricket has a way of exposing flaws when results don’t follow,” Gavaskar wrote.

The former India opener also highlighted the success of Andy Flower, whose calm and low-profile approach helped the Royal Challengers Bengaluru secure back-to-back IPL titles.

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Without naming anyone directly, Gavaskar also took a subtle swipe at certain coaching setups, suggesting that some franchises focus too much on personal connections when appointing support staff rather than prioritising expertise and accountability. As Lucknow prepare for another rebuild, Pant’s exit and Gavaskar’s remarks have ensured that the franchise’s coaching structure will remain firmly under the spotlight in the months ahead.