“Not working”: Former MI head coach urged Rishabh Pant to give up leadership rol – Not working”: Former MI head coach urged Rishabh Pant to give up leadership role

The Pressure on Rishabh Pant: A Call for Change

The Indian Premier League is a crucible where talent meets immense pressure, and for Rishabh Pant, the last two seasons with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have been testing. Following a string of lackluster results for the franchise, the consensus among experts is that his dual responsibilities as captain and key batter are hindering his natural progression. Recently, the message that “Not working”: Former MI head coach urged Rishabh Pant to give up leadership rol has resonated across the cricket fraternity, prompting serious questions about his future at the helm.

A Disappointing Campaign

Pant’s journey with LSG began with high expectations after he was acquired as the most expensive player in the history of the IPL auction. However, the investment has yet to yield the desired dividends. Over the course of 28 matches across the 2025 and 2026 seasons, the team managed only 10 victories—a win percentage of just 35.71%. The 2026 season was particularly painful, with the team finishing at the very bottom of the points table with a mere eight points.

Individually, while Pant’s 312 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 138 show some improvement over previous outings, it remains a far cry from the explosive form that established him as a global superstar. His inability to consistently anchor the innings or provide the explosive finishes expected of him has led to calls for a strategic change.

The Perspective of Mark Boucher

Mark Boucher, the former South African wicketkeeper and ex-head coach of the Mumbai Indians, did not mince words during a recent appearance on ESPNcricinfo Timeout. Boucher emphasized that the combination of leadership and batting is clearly taking a toll on Pant’s mental space.

“Rishabh Pant, the cricketer and his leadership are not working together,” Boucher observed. “He hasn’t produced what he is expected to produce. We all want to see Pant hitting the ball all over the ground. If the captaincy is getting in the way, then get rid of the captaincy.”

Boucher pointed out that modern captaincy requires a level of methodical planning and tactical communication that may not necessarily align with Pant’s instinctive style of play. He suggested that for a player of Pant’s caliber, the priority must be finding his rhythm as a batter once again.

Ambati Rayudu Weighs In

Former Chennai Super Kings batter Ambati Rayudu echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the conflict between Pant’s natural, instinctive personality and the rigid demands of captaincy. Rayudu argued that unless the team is willing to let Pant lead purely on his own terms, the burden of leadership should be removed entirely.

“For someone who always relies on instinct, it is so hard for him to prepare everything and be methodical in terms of his decisions,” Rayudu explained. “He cannot change his personality overnight. If that is not working, the best thing he can do is be a player and enjoy his cricket and perform for the team.”

Looking Ahead for the Super Giants

The situation at LSG is undeniably critical. When owner Sanjeev Goenka invested a whopping INR 27 crores into the star wicket-keeper, the expectation was a balanced contribution similar to what other marquee players provide to their respective franchises. With the team hitting rock bottom in the 2026 season, the management faces a difficult decision. Should they persist with Pant as a leader in hopes of a turnaround, or should they relieve him of the duties to allow him to rediscover his vintage, swashbuckling form?

Ultimately, cricket is a game of confidence. If the captaincy is indeed acting as a mental block, shifting the focus back to individual performance could be the catalyst Pant needs to revive his career and get back to dominating bowling attacks as only he can. For now, the cricketing world watches closely to see if the star will heed the advice of those who believe he is better off without the extra burden.