Former Indian wicket-keeper, Saba Karim, criticised Rishabh Pant’s captaincy after Lucknow Super Giants suffered a seven-wicket loss against Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, in the ongoing IPL 2026 on Tuesday.

Karim questioned Pant for giving the new ball to Akash Singh. Singh, who scalped three wickets in the previous game against Chennai Super Kings, was taken for 23 runs in the first over of the innings.

The left-arm seamer eventually returned with expensive figures of 1-54 in three overs he bowled.

The former stumper, Karim, reckons Pant could have utilised his resources better against LSG. 

He said on ESPN Cricinfo, “I felt that Rishabh Pant could have utilized his resources better. I can understand you are up against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and have to try different set of bowlers. None of them could do well. Yet, I feel there is something missing in terms of utilizing your resources in a much better manner. I didn’t see that happen today.

Karim reckons Pant could have used either Mayank Yadav or Prince Yadav with the new ball.

“Without Mohammad Shami, I was surprised to see Akash Singh bowl the first over. You have Prince Yadav, you have Mayank Yadav and you have Mohsin Khan, who came and bowled the second over. Why would you allow a team which has Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi that kind of momentum,” he added.

On the other hand, despite LSG’s woes, captain Rishabh Pant described his team as f***king good team.

He said in the post-match presentation, “We are proud as a team regardless of how our situation is right now. You know, the kind of team we have, we know we can win this. Regardless of anything, we are confident enough as a team and as individuals. It hasn’t gone our way and everyone knows that but that doesn’t take away the fact that we are a f***ing good team.”

LSG will play their last league stage match against Punjab Kings at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Saturday.