Rishabh Pant advised to find consistency after LSG's three-wicket win against KKR

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif reckons that Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant needs to show more consistency and take greater responsibility as a leader, especially after his low score in the close win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens.

Pant managed only 10 runs in the match, and Kaif said the skipper should have played a longer innings to support the chase.

“Rishabh Pant will not be happy with his knock of 10 runs. He played a match-winning innings in the previous game against SRH, helping LSG get over the line. But against KKR, the team needed him to stay till the end,” Kaif told Jio Hotstar.

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Kaif added that being a captain comes with extra responsibility, particularly in tight run chases.

“As captain, if you don’t take responsibility, you cannot help your team win games. Yes, he did well against SRH, but he needs to find consistency. Playing one good knock and then failing in the next few games is not enough,” he said.

Chasing 182, LSG made a solid start, reaching 41 runs in the first five overs. But they lost their way in the middle overs before Mukul Choudhary’s unbeaten 54 off 27 balls turned the game around and helped them win on the last ball with three wickets in hand.

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Kaif felt Pant didn’t need to take too many risks when he came in to bat.

“He is an experienced player, having been in the IPL since 2016. The situation when he came out to bat was not particularly difficult. LSG had already scored 41 in the first five overs. One batter needed to take responsibility and bat through the chase. That role was meant for Pant,” he said.

He also said Pant should get better at reading match situations.

“A captain’s job is to stay till the end in a chase, and that is something Pant must work on,” Kaif added.

Kaif also praised Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy, saying KKR did a lot right in the match despite the loss.

“I feel bad for Ajinkya Rahane because he had an amazing game as captain. This defeat against Lucknow will prove to be demoralising for KKR. They did so many things right in this game. Despite a very depleted bowling attack, they managed to put LSG under pressure,” he said.

He also appreciated the effort from KKR bowlers and all-rounders but said Mukul Choudhary’s innings changed everything in the end.

“Cameron Green gave them a couple of overs, got a wicket, and showed he had the capability to score runs with the bat. It looked like a victory would complete the effort. But then Mukul Choudhary took the game away from KKR,” he added.