Rishabh Pant faced harsh criticism from fans after his quick dismissal in the IPL 2026 encounter between Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans on Sunday, April 12, at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Batting at No. 3, Pant scored 18 runs off 11 balls, with two boundaries and a six, before Mohammed Siraj claimed his wicket.

Pant began his innings with aggressive intent, hitting Rabada for a boundary early and adding another four. Against Siraj, Pant combined caution and aggression, playing a solid cover drive while also rotating the strike. He even pulled Rabada for a flat six, but continued to play with risk. Eventually, Pant tried to loft Siraj for a big shot but mistimed it, sending the ball high.

Rahul Tewatia comfortably took the catch in the cover region, ending Pant’s innings. He stitched a 31-run stand with Aiden Markram for the second wicket.
Pant's dismissal led to a wave of negative reactions from fans, with many criticising his shot selection. Some even labelled him the worst white-ball batter, while others pointed out that he had yet to live up to his Rs 27 crore price tag, referencing his status as the most expensive player in IPL history from last year’s auction.

Rishabh Pant continues to fall short of expectations. More concerning, however, is the looming challenge for Indian cricket — a noticeable lack of reliable middle-order batters for the future.

Pant’s IPL 2026 Performance
Pant's IPL 2026 season has been a blend of flashes of brilliance and inconsistency. He has scored 103 runs in four matches, averaging 34.33 and posting a strike rate of 130.37. His best knock came in the form of a match-winning 68, which led Lucknow to a successful chase against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
However, his recent performances have been inconsistent, with scores of 7, 68, 10, and 18, showing that he has struggled to build on his starts. His aggressive approach has helped maintain a solid strike rate but has also resulted in some high-risk dismissals.

Pant will be aiming for a more substantial contribution when the Super Giants take on Rajat Patidar’s Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 15 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Pant will be aiming for a more substantial contribution when the Super Giants take on Rajat Patidar’s Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 15 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.