LSG vs PBKS IPL 2026: The pain was clear as Rishabh Pant, Lucknow Super Giants skipper, apologized to dedicated fans right before the last group stage match. With only 4 wins from 13 games, LSG’s disappointing run left the team and their supporters heartbroken and desperate for hope.
At the toss, Pant openly acknowledged the heartbreak shared by both players and fans. He warmly thanked the loyal supporters for standing by the team through every struggle, promising to fight back and restore pride next season.
"See, everyone knows it has been a tough season for us. There’s pain and disappointment, but we’ve learned a lot as a team and as individuals. I truly want to say sorry to our fans. Their unwavering support, coming from every corner of the country and UP, has meant everything to us. We’re hurting, too, but we promise to come back stronger. We will give our very best," Pant said, his voice reflecting both regret and determination at the toss.
He also revealed they have made two changes to their playing XI for their last group-stage match, including Arjun Tendulkar, who finally earns his much-awaited debut as the son of the legendary Indian cricketer.
"We have two changes. Arjun and Arshin come in since Mitch went home," he said.
Arjun, who was traded from the Mumbai Indians for Rs 30 lakh during last year's auction, kept warming the bench throughout this year and finally grabbed a spot in the playing XI in their last group-stage match.
ALSO READ: KKR Responds To Controversy Surrounding Varun Chakaravarthy’s Injury: 'Most Cricketers Are Not…'
With the team out of playoff contention, the management decided to include Arjun Tendulkar in their last group-stage match. The disappointment of missing the playoffs created opportunities for players who hadn't had much exposure.
After a tough outing, Rishabh Pant’s apology echoed the bitterness felt throughout Lucknow’s season. Uncertainty plagued the team, with many hands shaping crucial choices. Fans and analysts were shocked when the team split up the successful opening pair of Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram. Pant’s unsettled batting role added to the heartbreak, unbalancing the squad and compounding their woes.
At the same time, Pant was also slammed continuously. He also made some questionable decisions while bowling at important junctures in matches. There were times when Pant used the spinners late, even though the pitches were spin-friendly, and then ended up using them in the death overs, and by then, they had already lost the plot. These issues, along with injuries, inconsistent batting performance, and a lack of clarity, led to their being dropped from the playoff race. They were the first team to be eliminated from the race to the playoffs.
LSG PLAYING XI vs PUNJAB KINGS
Rishabh Pant wasn't accurate when he talked about the changes in their playing XI. Besides Arjun Tendulkar and Arshin Kulkarni, Mukul Chaudhary and Mohammed Shami have also returned to the playing XI. Arjun will also play as a lower-order batter and has replaced Mayank Yadav in the side.
Arjun will be seen bowling alongside Mohammed Shami, Prince Yadav, and Mohsin Khan, who has performed consistently this year.