Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) suffered a 40-run defeat against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 32 of the IPL 2026 season at Ekana Cricket Stadium on Wednesday (April 22).
Despite a strong bowling performance that restricted Rajasthan to 159/6, LSG’s batting collapsed, with the team being bowled out for just 119 in 18 overs.
This marked LSG's fourth consecutive loss in the tournament as they slumped to ninth spot in the 10-team points table.
After the game, skipper Rishabh Pant identified the batting unit as the primary reason for the team's poor show, noting that they failed to support a "fantastic job" by the bowlers.
Pant, who himself was dismissed for a duck during the chase, emphasized looking for "answers inside, not outside," urging the team to take personal responsibility rather than making excuses.
"I think it is difficult to explain. Like it's definitely our batting is letting us down, but at the same time, we are disappointed as a team, as a group, but at the same time, you've got to keep finding ways, you know. You have to look for answers inside, not outside, but that's how it is as of now,” Pant said at the post-match presentation.
“See, definitely, we could have taken some time while batting and at the same time, not making any excuse out there, like, including myself in that. Like we could have taken it a little deeper because I think the bowlers did a fantastic job, especially after the last game. But, as a batting group, we need to put our hand up and try to finish the job for the bowlers also,” he added.
The southpaw, however, remained optimistic about the team’s prospects of bouncing back in the tournament.
“There is still a lot we want to look at the positive side. We all know it's disappointing for us as a team, but we have to keep our head high and look for answers inside. And we surely know that we have enough firepower in our bowling and batting and we can still turn it around. That's what I believe in,” he remarked.
Lucknow Super Giants will next face Kolkata Knight Riders at Ekana Cricket Stadium on April 26.
