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Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) losing streak at home continued in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 as the suffered a super over defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Amidst a poor run, LSG’s coaching staff – Justin Langer, Kane Williamson and Tom Moody – have been criticised by former Indian opener Virender Sehwag who fails to understand why they have opted to chase despite batting failures. While LSG’s two wins in the season came while chasing, they’ve been unable to do so at home. They have lost three consecutive games after opting to bowl first.
“Lucknow Super Giants once again failed to chase down a total. 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 dimaag nahi chalta? (Are their brains not working?) 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,” said Sehwag on Cricbuzz.
“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?),” he added.
Sehwag wanted anyone but Pooran to bat in super over
In addition, Sehwag criticised LSG’s call to send Nicholas Pooran to bat in the super over against Sunil Narine. He felt Ayush Badoni, Himmat Singh or Mitchell Marsh could’ve been a better choice. Also, Pant could’ve himself faced the first ball of the super over instead of walking in to bat after Pooran’s wicket.
“If I was there I would've sent Badoni instead of Pooran because the latter is out of form. Rohan Gavaskar was telling me that Sunil Narine had bowled a maiden in super over to Pooran earlier. I couldn't understand why he was sent to bat. Badoni was playing better or even Himmat Singh who had a few hits. There is no point in sending an out-of-form player,” Sehwag opined.
“It was almost pre-decided that Narine would bowl the super over. Even LSG knew that Narine is coming to bowl. LSG thought that maybe he (Pooran) will play Narine better. I think it was a slight mistake. At least send Badoni or Mitchell Marsh. He (Rishabh Pant) could've come in to bat itself to face first ball of super over,” the former opener added.
LSG have now slipped to the bottom of the points table. They are yet to win their first game at home. Their next game is on Mumbai Indians’ (MI) home turf on May 4.
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