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Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 10 were knocked out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 playoffs race. After the defeat to Chennai Super Kings (CSK), LSG’s Director of Cricket, Tom Moody, explained that Nicholas Pooran carried a wrist injury scare to the IPL 2026. Pooran’s sore wrist and the match-up against Delhi Capitals’ (DC) Axar Patel led to skipper Rishabh Pant opening the innings.
“Rishabh was keen to go 3 this year, so we afforded him that opportunity. First game, he opened. That was purely a match-up against Axar Patel. He was run out in an unfortunate fashion, so he missed that opportunity for that match-up. Nicky P came into the tournament with a sore wrist that needed some sort of management in the first week or two,” the former Australia pacer said in the post-match press conference.
Moody also pointed out that Pooran bats from no.3 to no.5 in franchise cricket around the world instead of admitting that it was a tactical error.
“Generally around the world in T20 cricket, Nicky P bats anywhere from 3-5 and he’s been effective in all those roles. His season started slowly, but that’s the nature when you’re playing that high-risk game,” the Aussie said.
“He's fine now. As we've seen over recent games, he's suddenly found that flow again,” he added.
Pooran, Pant’s IPL 2026 numbers
Both Pooran and Pant have endured a poor season. Since getting the no.3 spot back, the former West Indies wicketkeeper-batter has scored 102 runs from three innings. Before that, he had 72 runs from eight innings. Also, he got out for a duck in the super over clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Pant has managed to score 251 runs from 11 innings at an average of 27.88 and strike rate of 138.67. He has scored just one half-century in the season.
Hefty price tag a burden for Pant?
Moody was also asked whether the burden of being the most expensive player in IPL history at Rs 27 crore is a burden that has got the better of Pant. Moody said that the question will be answered better by the LSG captain instead.
“That’s a question you need to ask him. I can’t speak for him on how he’s feeling about the expectation,” the 60-year-old said.
“Every player, particularly profile players – so whether it’s Rishabh Pant or anyone that’s either captain or a senior player in the side that has got decorated careers at that point – they’re under pressure and that’s the beauty of the IPL. It’s whether you can embrace that pressure and rise or you find it difficult to get traction.”
Will LSG spoil others’ party?
In the last three games, LSG will play for pride or to test out new combinations for the next season. They will have a rematch against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at home on May 15. Then, they will head to Jaipur and face Rajasthan Royals (RR). Their last league match of the season is at home against Punjab Kings (PBKS). LSG's all three opponents for the remainder of the season are alive in the playoffs race.
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