Sourav Ganguly raises concerns over Rishabh Pant’s T20 adaptation and leadership – Sourav Ganguly on Rishabh Pant’s T20 Struggle & Leadership

Rishabh Pant has long been lauded as one of the most exciting and naturally gifted batters in modern cricket. His aggressive, fearless approach and ability to turn games on their head quickly made him a fan favourite and a prominent figure in the cricketing world. This talent was underscored by his record-breaking acquisition by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a staggering INR 27 crore, a testament to the immense potential and match-winning capabilities he was perceived to possess. However, the last couple of years have seen the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter endure a challenging slump, raising questions about his form and future trajectory, particularly in the fast-paced T20 format. This period of struggle has not gone unnoticed by cricketing pundits and former players alike, prompting significant discussion about his adaptation and leadership.

Adding a weighty voice to this discussion, former Team India captain and a respected figure in Indian cricket, Sourav Ganguly, recently shared his insights on Rishabh Pant’s current predicament. In an exclusive interview with the Times of India (TOI), Ganguly candidly expressed his concerns regarding Pant’s ability to balance the demands of T20 cricket with the significant responsibilities of captaincy, a dual role that has proven challenging for many talented cricketers.

Rishabh Pant’s IPL Captaincy with Lucknow Super Giants

Pant’s journey into leadership began when he took the helm of the Lucknow Super Giants for two consecutive seasons in the Indian Premier League. Appointed as captain, the expectation was that his aggressive mindset and tactical acumen would translate into on-field success for the franchise. However, his tenure as captain has, unfortunately, been marked by a noticeable lack of team success. The team’s performance under his leadership has been a significant point of concern, failing to meet the high expectations associated with an IPL franchise, especially one with a significant investment in its captain.

A closer look at the statistics reveals a challenging picture for LSG under Pant’s command. Across the 2025 and 2026 IPL seasons, Rishabh Pant led the team in a total of 28 matches. During this period, LSG managed to secure only 10 victories, while suffering 18 defeats. This translates to a win percentage of approximately 35.7%, a figure that clearly indicates the struggles faced by the team. In the 2025 season, Lucknow Super Giants finished in a disappointing 7th position in the league standings. The subsequent season, IPL 2026, proved even more arduous, as the team concluded their campaign at the very bottom, finishing 10th in the 10-team league points table. These results not only reflect the team’s collective performance but also inevitably place the spotlight on the captain’s influence and decision-making.

Individual Performance: A Dip in Form

Beyond the team’s struggles, Rishabh Pant’s individual batting performance has also witnessed a significant decline during his captaincy tenure. Known for his explosive hitting and ability to score quickly, his numbers in the last two IPL seasons present a stark contrast to his earlier career form. In IPL 2025, the left-handed batter accumulated 269 runs from his innings, averaging 24.45. While not disastrous, this was certainly below the high standards expected of a player of his calibre and price tag. The following season, IPL 2026, saw a slight improvement in aggregate runs, with Pant scoring 312 runs in 13 innings, pushing his batting average to 28.36. However, even this modest improvement remained well below his established career average, indicating a persistent struggle to find his rhythm and impactful scoring form.

To put these figures into perspective, throughout his entire IPL career, Rishabh Pant has amassed an impressive total of 3865 runs from 136 innings. His overall IPL batting average stands at 33.60. The averages from his two recent captaincy seasons (24.45 and 28.36) are noticeably lower than his career average, highlighting a period where the added responsibilities of leadership seem to have coincided with a dip in his personal batting prowess. This trend suggests a potential difficulty in compartmentalizing the pressures of captaincy from his primary role as a prolific run-scorer.

The Burden of Captaincy: A Double-Edged Sword

The role of captaincy and leadership in cricket carries an inherent weight of extra pressure. For some cricketers, this additional burden can act as a catalyst, propelling them to greater heights as they embrace the challenge and lead from the front. They often find a way to thrive under scrutiny, their individual performances seemingly enhanced by the responsibility. However, for others, balancing these two distinct profiles – the tactical demands of captaincy and the consistent delivery of individual performance – proves to be an immense challenge. The mental and physical toll can be significant, often impacting one’s natural game.

In Rishabh Pant’s case, his performances during his IPL captaincy stint for LSG strongly suggest he falls into the latter category, at least for now. He has, by many accounts, looked far from his best, indicating that the pressures of leading a high-profile T20 franchise might have overshadowed his natural flair and aggressive batting style. Furthermore, a series of repeated injuries on multiple occasions have also significantly hampered his progress, putting hard-earned momentum to a halt and disrupting his ability to regain consistent form. These setbacks have compounded the challenges he faces in adapting to the relentless demands of top-flight T20 cricket.

Sourav Ganguly’s Assessment: Test Player vs. T20 Adaptation

Sourav Ganguly, drawing from his extensive experience as a captain and a cricketer, offered a nuanced perspective on Pant’s situation. He unequivocally praised Pant’s abilities in the longest format of the game, stating, “He’s a very good Test player. His Test match batting is world-class.” This acknowledgment highlights Pant’s undeniable talent and his proven track record in Test cricket, where his unique style has often produced match-winning innings.

However, Ganguly’s concerns primarily revolve around Pant’s adaptation to T20 cricket. He observed, “He’s still finding it tough to adapt to T20 cricket. I hope he does because he’s got enormous talent.” This statement pinpoints the core issue: while Pant’s talent is immense, translating that talent consistently into the rapid-fire, high-stakes environment of T20s, especially while captaining, remains a hurdle. Ganguly further elaborated on the universal challenge of captaincy, noting, “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 powerful sentiment underscores the high expectations placed on captains and the imperative for them to master the art of balancing individual contribution with team leadership. It serves as both a direct challenge and a stark reminder to Pant: either find the equilibrium required or risk being replaced by someone who can.

The Path Forward for Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant stands at a critical juncture in his career. His phenomenal talent is not in doubt, especially his prowess in Test cricket. However, his recent struggles in T20s, exacerbated by the demands of captaincy and unfortunate injury setbacks, present a significant challenge. The insights from a legend like Sourav Ganguly serve as both a critique and a guiding light. For Pant to truly fulfil his immense potential across all formats, especially T20, he must find a way to adapt his game, manage the pressures of leadership, and ensure his individual performance remains consistently impactful. The cricketing world will be keenly watching to see how this incredibly talented southpaw navigates these complex challenges and reclaims his spot among the elite in T20 cricket.