Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) batting lapses continued as they suffered fifth consecutive loss in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Unable to win a single match at home, LSG head coach Justin Langer criticised batters as they failed to adapt to the black soil surface for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) clash. The former Australian head coach sympathised with LSG’s fans after an ‘incredibly frustrating’ batting display, failing to chase down 156 and losing in the super over.
"It's frustrating. I said after the last game I thought the wicket was very good on the red soil and it was fast and bouncy. I said it was and it's really exciting for cricket and we didn't adapt today to the black soil which was slower and lower and spun a little bit,” Langer said at the post-match press conference.
"So, it's incredibly frustrating. I feel for the fans. I feel for our supporters. I feel for everyone who follows us. We're not adapting to the conditions as well as we should be."
Winless at home in the ongoing season, LSG slipped to the bottom of the points table.
Currently, no LSG batter finds himself in the orange cap race. Only opener Mitchell Marsh has more than 200 runs in the season. From eight games, they have managed to score 212 runs at an average of 26.50 and strike rate of 133.33. Experimenting with the top-order hasn’t done them any good. Nicholas Pooran continues to struggle and get the backing of the team and coaching staff.
Inglis boost for remaining matches
In addition, LSG have been reluctant to replace Pooran with South Africa’s Matthew Breetzke who is yet to play a single game this season. LSG have a layoff ahead of them to get back into the groove. They will also receive a major boost for the May 4 clash as Josh Inglis will join them. It is expected to be a batting paradise when LSG lock horns with Mumbai Indians (MI) at Wankhede Stadium. MI have been struggling too. They are just above LSG at ninth position on the basis of better net run rate (NRR).
Every match going ahead will be a must-win contest for LSG if they are to qualify for the playoffs.