Will Rishabh Pant lead LSG in IPL 2027? Tom Moody signals leadership reset after back-to-back playoff misses

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) finished the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 with a defeat by seven wickets against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) during the 196-run defense at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. 

The Super Giants finished the points table with the wooden spoon. The Rishabh Pant-led side has earned just four victories in 14 clashes at a net run rate (NRR) of -0.740. Among the first seven encounters of the event, they won just two games, which ended their journey. 

“Certainly, looks like we need to consider a reset” — Moody stops short of confirming Pant’s sacking but leaves the door open

In 28 matches since last season, Pant has experienced 18 defeats for the LSG side, failing to make the Playoffs both times. Their director of cricket, Tom Moody, admitted that the number of poor results would mean that the franchise would consider a change of guard in leadership before the next edition.

“From a captaincy point of view, you know, he’s found it challenging, obviously, and the results reflect that. And you do have to wonder whether that is a pressure that is reflected in his performance with the bat. I know that this season has been a difficult season for us, but we will reflect on it, we’ll take time, we’ll reflect on it. We’ll consider all things.” Moody expressed in the post-match press conference.

See Also: Watch: Police step in after fans misbehave with cheerleaders at Ekana Stadium during LSG vs PBKS — IPL 2026

“But certainly, we haven’t lived up to the expectation or the standard that we expect of ourselves. And certainly, when it comes to the leadership of the franchise, it’s certainly something that we’ll be taking some very serious consideration to, you know, what it looks like in the future.” The former Australian star added.

However, he pointed out that the responsibility of the wooden spoon would be a collective failure.

“I don’t think it’s a time to point the finger at any individual. I think we all take accountability, and now’s not the time to be apportioning blame in any particular department. We all need time to reflect on it calmly, but there are certain things that we do need to address, and will be addressed.” Moody reflected on the situation.

312 runs, one fifty, three batting positions, zero playoffs—The numbers behind LSG’s decision to question their INR 27 crore captain

Pant ended the IPL 2026 event with just 312 runs in 13 innings at an average of 28.36 and a strike rate of 138.05 with just one half-century at the best score of unbeaten 68 runs.

See Also: Watch: Rishabh Pant's ‘F**king good team’ slip of tongue after LSG’s Playoff exit — Was this his emotional goodbye to IPL 2026?

In 2025, the Indian left-handed batter collected only 269 runs in 13 innings at an average of 24.45 and a strike rate of 133.16, thanks to one fifty and one century at the best score of unbeaten 118 runs. 

He was signed for a massive price of INR 27 crore by the franchise as their owner, Sanjeev Goenka, praised him to lead the side in the next 10 years and bring five trophies. Now, they haven’t reached the playoffs in successive seasons, and the pressure is everywhere.