Sourav Ganguly raises concerns over Rishabh Pant’s T20 adaptation and leadership – Sourav Ganguly on Rishabh Pant: T20 Adaptation & Captaincy Struggles

Sourav Ganguly Raises Concerns Over Rishabh Pant’s T20 Adaptation and Leadership

Rishabh Pant, a name synonymous with explosive batting and audacious stroke play, burst onto the international cricket scene as one of the most exciting talents in modern cricket. His ability to turn a game on its head quickly made him a fan favourite, and his immense potential was underscored by a record-breaking acquisition by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a staggering INR 27 crore. However, the last couple of years have seen the dynamic keeper-batter navigating a challenging period, with a noticeable slump in both his individual performance and his effectiveness as a leader.

This downturn has not gone unnoticed by cricketing stalwarts. During a recent interview with the Times of India (TOI), former Team India captain and a respected voice in the cricketing fraternity, Sourav Ganguly, candidly shared his perspectives on Rishabh Pant’s recent struggles, particularly in the demanding format of T20 cricket and his role as captain.

Captaincy Burden and Team Performance

Pant’s journey as captain of the Lucknow Super Giants spans two consecutive seasons, IPL 2025 and IPL 2026. Despite the high hopes and significant investment, his tenure as captain has yet to yield the desired success for the franchise. The team’s performance under his leadership has been underwhelming, and alarmingly, Pant’s individual batting form has also witnessed a significant decline during these two crucial seasons.

The dual responsibility of leading a high-profile IPL franchise while maintaining peak individual performance is a challenge that tests even the most seasoned cricketers. While some thrive under the added pressure, using it as a catalyst for elevated performance, others find it difficult to strike the delicate balance between tactical leadership and personal execution. In Rishabh Pant’s case, his struggles with captaincy appear to have coincided with a noticeable dip in his batting prowess, suggesting that the additional burden may have impacted his natural flair and effectiveness.

Over the 2025 and 2026 IPL seasons, Pant led LSG in a total of 28 matches. During this period, the team managed only 10 victories against 18 defeats, resulting in a modest win percentage of approximately 35.7%. In 2025, Lucknow finished 7th in the league standings, and their performance further deteriorated in 2026, where they concluded their campaign at the tenth and final position in the 10-team league points table. Such results highlight the significant challenges faced by Pant and the team during his captaincy.

Individual Batting Struggles

Beyond the team’s performance, Rishabh Pant’s individual batting statistics during these two IPL seasons paint a concerning picture. In IPL 2025, the southpaw scored 269 runs at an average of 24.45. The subsequent season, IPL 2026, saw a slight improvement, with Pant accumulating 312 runs from 13 innings at an average of 28.36. While these numbers are not disastrous, they fall short of the high standards expected from a player of Pant’s caliber, especially when compared to his career IPL average.

Throughout his extensive IPL career, spanning 136 innings, Rishabh Pant has amassed a total of 3865 runs at an impressive overall average of 33.60. This career average is notably higher than his averages from the last two seasons, underscoring the extent of his recent slump. His struggles are not merely about runs but also the impact he typically brings to an innings, which has been less evident recently.

Sourav Ganguly’s Expert Insight

Sourav Ganguly, known for his forthright opinions and deep understanding of the game, provided valuable insight into Pant’s situation. He emphasized Pant’s undeniable talent, particularly highlighting his prowess in Test cricket.

“He’s a very good Test player. His Test match batting is world-class. He’s still finding it tough to adapt to T20 cricket. I hope he does because he’s got enormous talent,” Sourav Ganguly told TOI. This statement points to a crucial distinction: while Pant’s aggressive, free-flowing style is perfectly suited for the longer format, where he has the time to build innings and take calculated risks, the relentless pressure and instant demands of T20 cricket require a different kind of adaptation, which Ganguly believes Pant is still grappling with.

Ganguly also delved into the psychological aspect of leadership, stating, “Captaincy is a burden on everyone. It’s how you handle it. But then you want to be captain, don’t you? You want to be captain because it’s a huge honour. So you will have to get that balance right. You do it, or somebody else will.” This perspective underscores the immense weight of expectation that comes with leading a team, especially in a high-stakes league like the IPL. It’s a role that demands mental fortitude, strategic acumen, and the ability to inspire, all while maintaining one’s own performance standards. Ganguly’s words serve as a stark reminder that while captaincy is an honour, it’s also a demanding responsibility that requires a delicate equilibrium between personal form and team management.

The Path Forward for Pant

Rishabh Pant’s journey is a testament to the unpredictable nature of elite sports. From being an icon of potential to facing scrutiny over his form and leadership, his career trajectory offers valuable lessons. While his struggles in T20 cricket and under captaincy are evident, Ganguly’s comments also carry a note of hope. The former captain’s belief in Pant’s