Lucknow Super Giants’ campaign never really left the runway, and Tom Moody hasn’t tried to hide it. The franchise’s global director of cricket admitted after their defeat to Punjab Kings that everything, captaincy included, is up for proper review once the dust settles.
“From a captaincy point of view, you know, he’s found it challenging, obviously, and the results reflect that,” Moody said when asked about Rishabh Pant’s future at the helm. LSG have now finished seventh and then ninth in consecutive years, winning ten and losing 18 under Pant.
A quick recap before we go deeper. Pant arrived off the back of brilliant 2018 and 2019 IPL seasons, but across the past two years he has scored 581 runs at a strike rate of 135.74. (For newer followers: strike rate in T20 is runs per 100 balls, and anything below 140 for a power-hitting keeper-batter feels under par.) His overall career numbers sit higher, so the slide is obvious.
“And you do have to wonder whether that is a pressure that is reflected with his performance with the bat. I know that this season has been a difficult season for us, but we will reflect on it, we’ll take time, we’ll reflect on it. We’ll consider all things,” Moody continued, pausing now and then, almost talking himself through the process.
The word ‘reset’ cropped up more than once. “But certainly we haven’t lived up to the expectation or the standard that we expect of ourselves. And certainly when it comes to the leadership of the franchise, it’s certainly something that we’ll be taking some very serious consideration to, you know, what it looks like in the future. Like every department, when you do reflect on a season, we will be making some considered decisions, but it certainly looks like that we’re needing to consider a reset.”
Head coach Justin Langer had already signalled dissatisfaction with Pant’s output, although publicly he stopped short of demanding change. Moody opted for a collective stance. “I think we’re all responsible [for the disappointing season],” he said. “I don’t think it’s a time to point the finger at any individual. I think we all take accountability, and now’s not the time to be apportioning blame in any particular department. We all need time to reflect on it in a calm manner, but there’s certain things that we do need to address, and will be addressed.”
If a switch is made, Pant would not be the first skipper to depart awkwardly. KL Rahul, who led LSG in their opening three seasons, left hinting he preferred a “lighter” dressing-room atmosphere elsewhere.
For now, supporters will have to wait until the post-season meetings are done. A new captain alone won’t solve every on-field issue, yet it may hand Pant the freedom with the bat that once made him so destructive – and that, in turn, could move LSG back up the table.
