Rishabh Pant apologized to Lucknow Super Giants fans ahead of LSG’s final IPL 2026 game, with the franchise again stuck at the bottom after four wins in 13 matches. At the toss, Pant confirmed two changes to the XI, including the much-awaited IPL debut of Arju
When Rishabh Pant walked to the toss on Sunday, May 24, the Lucknow Super Giants captain didn’t dress it up. With LSG already facing elimination from the playoffs race and sitting at the bottom of the points table, he turned toward the people who kept showing up anyway.
“We just want to say sorry to our fans. They have been coming in large numbers to support us from different parts of the country. especially from all over UP. ” Pant said at the toss ahead of LSG’s final game of the IPL 2026 season against Punjab Kings at the Ekana Stadium. “See, everyone knows it has been a tough season for us. But there has been a lot of learning for us as a team and as individuals. We want to come back stronger and we are going to give our 100 per cent.”.
LSG’s season has been difficult by any measure. The franchise enters the match with just four wins in 13 matches. once again languishing at the bottom of the points table. Pant’s apology framed the final game as something more than a formality—an effort to acknowledge the frustration that has come with repeated tactical and performance problems.
On the team sheet, he also acknowledged that change was coming. Pant said LSG made two changes for the clash, bringing in Arjun Tendulkar and Arshin Kulkarni, after Mitch went home.
“We have two changes. Arjun and Arshin come in since Mitch went home,” Pant said at the toss.
The headline switch was Arjun Tendulkar’s long-awaited IPL debut for Lucknow. The left-arm pacer. son of Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. was traded from Mumbai Indians for Rs 30 lakh ahead of IPL 2026. He spent the first 13 matches of the season on the bench before finally being given a role in the final game of the campaign.
Pant’s remarks came alongside a season that, for many fans, has felt shaped by inconsistency and confusion. The captain had hinted multiple times through his on-field interviews that there were perhaps too many voices involved in taking key decisions within the team setup. Several tactical calls raised eyebrows—starting with the decision to break up the successful opening pair of Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram early in the campaign.
Even after that. LSG struggled to settle on a fixed batting role for Pant. affecting the team’s balance and output. Pant’s own leadership decisions also drew criticism at key moments. He made questionable bowling changes during crunch stretches in games. On multiple occasions. he delayed the use of his spinners despite favourable conditions. leaving LSG saving overs for the death when the match had already swung away from them.
Those issues—along with injuries, inconsistent batting performances, and a lack of clarity in team selection—eventually contributed to Lucknow’s fall. LSG became one of the first teams to be knocked out of the playoffs race in IPL 2026.
Along with Arjun Tendulkar and Arshin Kulkarni. Pant’s line-up for the final game also includes Mukul Choudhary and Mohammed Shami returning to the team. Arjun is expected to play as a lower-order batter and will bowl alongside Mohammed Shami. Prince Yadav. and Mohsin Khan. who have been good with the ball this season.
For LSG against Punjab Kings at the Ekana Stadium. the playing XI listed was: Josh Inglis; Arshin Kulkarni (in place of Mitchell Marsh); Nicholas Pooran; Ayush Badoni; Rishabh Pant (c/wk); Abdul Samad; Mukul Choudhary (in place of Shahbaz Ahamad); Arjun Tendulkar (in place of Mayank Yadav and on LSG debut); Mohammad Shami (in place of Akash Singh); Prince Yadav; and Mohsin Khan.
There was more riding on the match than just an end-of-season result. Pant’s apology. delivered at the toss with the franchise already outside playoff contention. offered fans a clear message: the season’s strain didn’t end with the final ball. The team’s work begins now. with one last game—on May 24—against Punjab Kings at Ekana Stadium. and the promise that it will return stronger next season.
IPL 2026 Rishabh Pant Lucknow Super Giants Punjab Kings Ekana Stadium Arjun Tendulkar Arshin Kulkarni Mohammed Shami Mukul Choudhary Sachin Tendulkar