Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer reckons Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant won’t be able to deliver under pressure in the ongoing IPL 2026. Pant batted at number four against MI but was dismissed after scoring 15 runs off 10 balls. The left-hander was trying to cut the ball against Will Jacks but could only manage an edge, and the catch was sharply taken by Ryan Rickelton.

The southpaw has scored 209 runs in nine matches of IPL 2026 at an average of 25.50 and a strike rate of 128.30. LSG have lost their last six matches and Pant hasn’t been able to lead from the front.

Jaffer said on his YouTube Channel, “You will not be able to give your best because of that pressure; it doesn’t bring out the best. You perform well when you play with an open heart and don’t think about these things. I don’t think we will be able to see his best, with the state of mind he is in now. It is visible from his body language and face how much pressure he is under.”

The former domestic giant feels Pant is not the right player to lead LSG in the IPL. Jaffer said he would have backed South African skipper Aiden Markram to lead LSG.

“They lost a lot of matches easily, even the ones that they could have won. Their players did not perform, and there are big names in the coaching staff who were not able to motivate the players. They need to sit down and discuss the strategy. I have said it time and again that Rishabh Pant is not the right man to lead. I would have probably put in Aiden Markram as a captain in this team because of his sound mentality and temperament.”

Lucknow Super Giants will next face Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Lucknow on Thursday.