The struggles of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 have drawn sharp criticism, with former India cricketer Virender Sehwag openly questioning the team’s tactical approach. As LSG continue to slide down the points table, Sehwag did not hold back, highlighting what he believes are glaring decision-making flaws that have derailed their campaign.
LSG’s IPL 2026 campaign hits rock bottom
It has been a season to forget for Lucknow Super Giants, who currently sit at the bottom of the standings with just two wins from eight matches. What began as a promising campaign quickly spiraled into chaos, largely due to a dramatic failure of their batting unit. The most concerning decline has been that of Nicholas Pooran. Known for his explosive hitting, Pooran’s strike rate has nosedived from nearly 200 last season to a worrying 81.19 this year. His inability to accelerate has had a ripple effect on the middle order.
Captain Rishabh Pant, who was signed for a record ₹27 crore, has also struggled to deliver consistent performances. His lack of form has exposed the fragility of the batting lineup, leading to repeated collapses where top-order batters have fallen for minimal scores.
The instability hasn’t ended there. Constant reshuffling of the opening combination and the absence of key all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga due to NOC issues have further disrupted team balance. With a poor net run rate of -1.106 and multiple defeats at their home ground, the Ekana Stadium, LSG’s playoff hopes are virtually over.
Virender Sehwag explains factors behind LSG’s struggles
Amid this downward spiral, Sehwag has strongly criticized the think tank, which includes big names like Kane Williamson, Justin Langer, and Tom Moody. Sehwag expressed frustration over the team’s repeated decision to chase targets despite consistent failures in doing so. He pointed out that LSG’s inability to bat under pressure has been evident, yet the team continues to opt for chasing after winning the toss.
“Lucknow Super Giants once again failed to chase down a total in this IPL. I just don’t understand. You have a director of cricket and a coach. Kane Williamson, Justin Langer and Tom Moody are all there. Inka kya dimag nahi chalta? (Do they not use their brains?) Are they not able to see how their team has been performing? The team is not being able to bat, and still they are winning the toss and inviting the opposition to bat,” Sehwag told Cricbuzz.
According to Sehwag, this rigid approach reflects a lack of adaptability. He argued that even a modest total of 140–150 could have created scoreboard pressure on opponents, especially on slower surfaces. Instead, LSG’s insistence on chasing has repeatedly backfired, exposing their weak batting depth. His remarks also hinted at confusion within the leadership group, raising questions about who is truly making the key tactical calls. For a team stacked with experienced cricketing minds, the lack of clarity in decision-making has been surprising and costly.
“If they won the toss and opted to bat first, even if they scored 140 to 150, the pressure would have been on KKR. I cannot understand this. You are not able to chase, but you are hell-bent and fixated on wanting to chase. Ye kahan ki samajhdari hai? Kaun le raha hai decisions? (How wise is this? Who is taking all these calls?),” added Sehwag.
What LSG must fix to salvage pride?
With their playoff chances hanging by a thread, LSG must now focus on damage control and restoring some pride. A key step would be stabilizing the batting order, particularly by assigning Pant a fixed role at number four to anchor innings rather than constantly reshuffling positions.
Rebuilding their home dominance at Ekana Stadium is equally crucial. Instead of overthinking pitch conditions, the team management needs to trust their resources, especially their spin attack, which can thrive on naturally assisting surfaces.
Additionally, introducing a consistent powerplay aggressor could ease pressure on Pooran, allowing him to play his natural attacking game in the later stages of the innings.
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