Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth criticised Rishabh Pant’s performances after Lucknow Super Giants suffered a 40-run loss against Rajasthan Royals at Lucknow on Wednesday. Chasing a below par target of 160 runs, LSG were bundled out for 119 in 18 overs.
After Ayush Badoni was run out for a duck following a mix-up with Mitchell Marsh, Pant walked out to bat at one drop. However, Pant’s stay at the crease only lasted three balls as he was also dismissed without troubling the scorers. The LSG skipper tried to play a slog sweep on one knee against Nandre Burger but could only manage an outside edge to the keeper.
Pant has scored 147 runs in seven matches of IPL 2026 at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 132.43.
Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “I’ve not seen such a pathetic batting display from an international cricketer. At 66, even if I swing the bat like this, one or two balls will find the middle of my bat. Yet, he did not take accountability for his shot in the presentation.”
“You are playing horribly and showing no application. I’ve played many reckless shots to get out in my career, but even I have not played as reckless a shot as Pant today. I don’t think any international cricketer would have played a shot like this. That’s how Pant played today.”
The 1983 World Cup-winning player also questioned Pant’s post-match presentation comments when the wicket-keeper said they need to look inside.
“In the post-match presentation, he is saying we have to look inside. Have you become some swamiji? He is talking like a swamiji by saying the answers have to come from inside. Just absolutely rubbish comments. The answers have to come from outside, not inside. For slogging like this, what inside do you need?” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).
“The first thing he needed to say was, ‘I played a lousy shot.’ But he never said anything about his shot. All he kept saying was thinking inside four or five times. Archer is moving the ball both ways at high speed, and our man is slogging. How’s his shot justified? Is it Ravindra Jadeja or some spinner bowling?”
LSG will next take on KKR at Lucknow on Sunday
