‘We need a break’: Pant calls for LSG reset after backing struggling Pooran in Super Over disaster

Lucknow: LSG captain Rishabh Pant stated that his squad requires a "break" to reset following their fifth straight defeat, a chaotic performance against the Kolkata Knight Riders that concluded in a Super Over loss on Sunday.

The setback relegated the Super Giants to the bottom of the Indian Premier League points table. During the post-match presentation, Pant emphasised the need for a mental and physical refresh.

"See, I think we definitely need a break," Pant said. "I think we're going to refresh. You know, there is always pressure, and it's going to be a pressure game, always. But at the same time, we have to look at answers inside, not outside. And just keep it simple, man. Just take accountability, each and every guy. Like, it can't be about one or two guys; it has to be about the whole unit. And a lot of people will take accountability for that, for sure."

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Nicholas Pooran’s Form and the Super Over

A primary concern for the franchise remains the performance of Nicholas Pooran. The high-priced batter has struggled throughout the 2026 season, amassing only 82 runs with a strike rate of 81.18 and an average of 10.25. Despite these figures, the leadership opted to send Pooran out for the Super Over alongside Pant.

The decision proved unsuccessful as Pooran was dismissed on the first delivery. The team’s efforts lasted only three balls in total, with Aiden Markram also falling for a duck.

Defending the strategy, Pant noted the importance of supporting key personnel regardless of their current slump. "As a group, we had a discussion," Pant explained. "And the name that came up was Nicky P. He might not go through the best form of his life. But at the same time, you got to trust your player in a hard situation like this. They're going to come off nicely. So, no excuses there. Just looking at the positive. There might not be enough positive right now. But I think after the break, there will be a lot of enough positive, for sure."

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Late-Inning Struggles

The Super Giants initially appeared to have the upper hand after electing to bowl first, dismantling the Kolkata top order to leave them at 31 for 4 early on. By the 19th over, the Knight Riders were stalled at 129 for 7.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the final over when Rinku Singh struck four consecutive sixes off leg-spinner Digvesh Rathi. The outburst pushed Kolkata to a total of 155, which was enough to force the tie-breaker.

Pant explained that the decision to use Rathi for the 20th over was a calculated risk aimed at securing a final wicket.

"See, there are always times in cricket where you can turn [things] a little bit with bowling," Pant said. "But sometimes, a bowler's got to bowl that hard overs, you know. And there will be times when I have to give him that in middle overs. Because I was looking for a wicket, I just didn't get one. That was the thought process behind it. And too many minds doesn't make it easy on the ground."