'Thanks For Being Soft Today': Rishabh Pant Signs Off With Cheeky Remark After Calling Out LSG Batters

Last Updated:April 23, 2026, 08:02 IST

Despite the disappointing defeat, LSG captain Rishabh Pant managed to crack a joke during a post-match interaction with commentator Simon Doull.

Lucknow Super Giants produced a disciplined bowling performance to restrict Rajasthan Royals to 159/6 in their IPL 2026 clash on Wednesday night. A batting lineup featuring Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag and Shimron Hetmyer was kept in check, and it took a composed effort from all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (43*) to lift the Royals to a competitive total after they had slumped to 77/5.

In response, LSG’s batting unit faltered badly. Only three batters reached double figures, while three failed to score, as the hosts were bowled out for 119 in 18 overs at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. The defeat marked LSG‘s seventh consecutive loss at home.

When asked by broadcaster Simon Doull where the team went wrong, captain Rishabh Pant said, “I think it is difficult to explain. It’s definitely the batting that is letting us down, but at the same time, we are disappointed as a team, as a group. You’ve got to keep finding ways, look for answers inside, not outside, but that’s how it is as of now."

Pant himself was among three LSG batters dismissed for ducks, with the team losing as many as three wickets in the first three overs of the chase.

“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. 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," Pant said, admitting that his side should have shown greater application against the moving new ball.

“Definitely, 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 added.

Despite the disappointing result, Pant managed a lighter moment at the end of the interaction. “Thanks for being soft today!" he quipped to Doull, as LSG slipped to ninth place in the IPL 2026 standings.

News cricket 'Thanks For Being Soft Today': Rishabh Pant Signs Off With Cheeky Remark After Calling Out LSG Batters

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