Mumbai: A record-breaking ₹27 crore price tag provides no immunity to the unrelenting pressures of captaincy, according to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) head coach Justin Langer. Following a five-wicket defeat to the Mumbai Indians that has essentially extinguished his team's playoff hopes, Langer offered a measured defence of his skipper, Rishabh Pant.

Despite posting a formidable 228 for 5, LSG saw the total chased down with eight balls to spare. The loss has amplified criticism regarding Pant’s inconsistent batting form and tactical decisions on the field.

"I don't think the money has anything to do with it," Langer remarked during the post-match press conference. "What I do think is that leadership is a tough position, and he is carrying a lot of pressure for the team."

CLICK HERE FOR IPL 2026 POINTS TABLE

Langer maintained that Pant is "chipping away" and working diligently to rediscover the "swashbuckling style" that made him a global sensation. To illustrate that the spark remains, the coach pointed to a private practice session held during the team’s recent seven-day hiatus.

"We played a practice game here two days ago, and Rishi got, maybe 95 off 40 balls or 30 balls or something," Langer revealed. "Looking at it, you go, 'That's Rishabh Pant at his very best.' We felt with the way he played just two days ago... that might be a good option for the team."

Beyond the captain’s struggles, Langer found a silver lining in the team’s offensive restructuring. After struggling with their metrics earlier in the season, the coach lauded the return to form of Nicholas Pooran, who anchored the innings with a quickfire 63 off 21 balls.

"The whole restructure of our batting order was a positive," said the former Australian opener. "If you're winning, everyone says the jigsaw puzzle is right. But one part of the jigsaw puzzle today, which was a positive, was Nicky Pooran."

Addressing the toll that repeated losses take on a professional's standing, Langer remained stoic. He noted that while a "reputation gets battered" in a results-driven business, he focuses on the work ethic and integrity of his staff and players.

"Your reputation can often get a bit bruised and scarred by performance, but your character... I never lose a minute's sleep over what I or what all the coaches are putting in the job," he concluded.

With inputs from PTI