![\"\u201895](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-130815802,imgsize-69782,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/rishabh-pant.jpg\" "\\"Rishabh")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer<\/a> has thrown his full support behind captain Rishabh Pant<\/a> despite another disappointing outing in the IPL 2026, insisting the wicketkeeper-batter is \u201cnot far off\u201d rediscovering his best.LSG slumped to yet another defeat, against Mumbai Indians<\/a> on Monday, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table with just two wins in nine matches. Much of the scrutiny has centred on Pant\u2019s form and his decision to shuffle the batting order, but Langer offered a strong defence of both.<\/p>\n Watch<\/span><\/p>\n IPL 2026: LSG’s Justin Langer explains where they lost vs KKR<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Revealing a glimpse of Pant\u2019s recent form behind the scenes, Langer highlighted a stunning practice performance that convinced the team management of his readiness.\u201cWe played a practice game here two days ago, and Rishi\u2026 maybe 95 off 40 or 30 balls \u2014 you\u2019re just looking at it and you go, \u2018Oh my gosh, that\u2019s Rishabh Pant at his very best,\u2019\u201d Langer said.\u201cSo, he\u2019s a very good player; we know that. We\u2019ve seen him in Test cricket destroy teams at number five, and we felt today\u2026 it might be a good option for the team.\u201d\u2018Selfless\u2019 move for the team<\/span>Pant\u2019s decision to push himself down the order, allowing Nicholas Pooran to bat higher, raised eyebrows \u2014 but Langer described it as a selfless call taken purely in the team\u2019s interest.\u201cHe selflessly moved down the order to let Nicky P bat, whose batting was unbelievable,\u201d Langer explained, referring to Pooran\u2019s explosive 63 off 21 balls.Backing his captain\u2019s leadership, Langer added, \u201cAs a captain in the IPL\u2026 you\u2019ve got to keep fronting up. That\u2019s all you can do, and he\u2019ll keep fronting up and hopefully help us get some wins.\u201dThe coach also dismissed suggestions that Pant\u2019s record price tag is affecting his performances.\u201cHonestly, I don\u2019t think the money has anything to do with it\u2026 leadership is a tough position, you\u2019re carrying lots of pressure, and he knows that,\u201d he said. \u201cHe\u2019s working hard\u2026 and he\u2019s not far off.\u201dPant admits LSG fell short<\/span>Pant himself acknowledged that LSG left runs on the table after a strong start.\u201cDefinitely, the way we started, I think we should have gotten more runs\u2026 we were short 10-15 runs because it was a 220-230 wicket,\u201d he said.While refusing to blame the bowlers, Pant admitted the team needs a bit of fortune to turn things around. \u201cI think we need some good luck\u2026 and it\u2019s going to take some more effort from us, for sure.\u201dWith their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, LSG will now hope Pant\u2019s practice brilliance soon translates into match-winning performances.<\/div>\n