Rishabh Pant backs Lucknow Super Giants despite playoff elimination

Rishabh Pant

NEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant did not hide his frustration after Lucknow Super Giants suffered their ninth defeat of the season, but the skipper made it clear that one result — or an entire disappointing campaign — would not change how he views his side. After LSG’s seven-wicket defeat to Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on Tuesday, Pant dropped a rare F-bomb while backing his dressing room, insisting the team’s quality remained intact despite elimination from the playoff race. “We are proud as a team regardless of what our situation is right now. The kind of team we have, we know we can win this. Regardless of anything, we are confident enough as a team and as individuals,” Pant said after the match. “It hasn’t gone our way, and everyone knows that, but that doesn’t take away the fact that we are a f***ing good team.”

Pant backs team despite another collapse

LSG had looked in control after posting 220/5 on a flat Sawai Mansingh Stadium surface, but the total proved insufficient as RR chased it down in just 19.1 overs. Teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi tore into the attack with a 38-ball 93, leaving Pant’s bowlers with no answers. The LSG captain admitted his side fell short with the bat despite the imposing scoreline. “I think there are a few ways to look at it. In the middle overs and then in the last over, the way Jofra Archer bowled, I think it was really good. But we could have actually scored five or ten runs more on this kind of wicket when you get that kind of start, and we just couldn’t capitalise in the last over,” he said.

‘Experience can’t be earned overnight’

Pant also spoke about the challenge of defending totals on batting-friendly pitches, saying bowlers often have little room for error. “It’s definitely a difficult one for sure because you always want to back your bowlers, but sometimes it’s hard. On a wicket like this, there is less margin for the bowlers. Sometimes you have to keep a simple plan, keep focusing one ball at a time and just try to execute,” he said. He also acknowledged the value of experience in crunch moments, hinting at what LSG have missed in key phases this season. “Experience is something you’re always going to miss. It can’t be earned overnight. It takes years for people to gain that experience, and definitely in pressure situations, that is one thing which keeps you ahead,” he added. Pant also defended holding back Shahbaz Ahmed until late in the chase, explaining the decision was tactical against RR’s left-handers.