Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer criticised Lucknow Super Giants’ batting after Rishabh Pant’s team suffered a five-wicket loss against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Wednesday.

LSG was bowled out for 146 runs as once again their top order failed to deliver the goods. Jaffer said LSG skipper Rishabh Pant has done nothing barring a match-winning 68-run knock of 50 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Furthermore, Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, and Nicholas Pooran have failed to come up with consistent performances in the ongoing IPL 2026.

“The top four batters have to contribute. In that area, LSG is taking a beating. The runs are not coming from Mitchell Marsh, Markram was out on an ordinary ball, and for Rishabh Pant, if you remove that one innings, his contribution is nothing. Nicholas Pooran looks completely out of form, it looks like he has not arrived in the tournament only,” Jaffer said on his YouTube channel.

“When there are so many batting failures, how will it work? 146 was a totally below par score on this ground. So, it was quite a lacklustre performance by LSG, they have to lift themselves up, otherwise, it will be too late for them,” he added.

On the other hand, Jaffer praised Virat Kohli, who scored 49 runs off 34 balls in the run chase of 147. Kohli has been under the weather but played a crucial knock for the team.

“It felt that he would finish the game off for the team, and score 70-80 runs not out. Unfortunately, he got out on 49. When Virat Kohli plays well, the entire Chinnaswamy gets their money’s worth. I hope he recovers from his niggle soon because people also want to see his intensity on the field,” Jaffer said.

Lucknow Super Giants will next take on Punjab Kings at New Chandigarh on Sunday.