Bengaluru: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) stand-in captain Nicholas Pooran admitted his side fell short with the bat after a five-wicket defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their IPL 2026 clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Leading the side in the absence of injured skipper Rishabh Pant, Pooran conceded that LSG’s total was not competitive enough and highlighted the team’s ongoing struggles with consistency in the batting department.

Pooran admits batting concerns

Reflecting on the loss, Pooran stated that LSG were “below par” and believed a higher total could have made the contest more challenging for the hosts.

“Tough season for us, we were below par. 175 would have been competitive. We have been struggling with the bat,” Pooran said during the post-match presentation.

The West Indies batter acknowledged the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket but stressed the importance of maintaining consistency.

“It’s T20 cricket, tough game, tough to stay consistent. The guys have been working hard. It’s a matter of time — we have to stay patient and take the opportunity when it comes,” he added.

Personal form a positive sign

Despite the team’s struggles, Pooran expressed confidence in his own batting form. He noted that while he has been striking the ball well, he has not been able to convert starts into substantial scores.

“I’m feeling really good, stroking the ball nicely, but it hasn’t gone my way. I’ve been in this situation before and I am confident I can do it,” he said.

His remarks indicate a belief within the camp that a turnaround could be on the horizon if players begin to capitalise on promising starts.

Match recap: RCB dominate at home

RCB continued their strong run in IPL 2026 with a comfortable chase of 147, completing the target in just 15.1 overs. Virat Kohli led the charge with a fluent 49, anchoring the innings and setting the platform for victory.

Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma provided quick contributions to ensure there were no late hiccups, as the defending champions secured the win with ease.

Earlier, LSG’s innings never gained momentum after being put in to bat. Despite a fighting 40 from Mitchell Marsh, the visitors suffered regular setbacks and were bowled out for 146.

Rasikh Salam Dar was the standout performer with the ball, claiming four crucial wickets, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood chipped in with key breakthroughs to keep LSG under pressure.

Setbacks for LSG

The loss was compounded by injury concerns, with Rishabh Pant briefly retiring hurt before returning to the crease, only to be dismissed cheaply. The lack of partnerships and inability to accelerate in the middle overs further hurt LSG’s chances.

The team’s batting frailties have now become a recurring theme in the tournament, something Pooran and the management will need to address quickly.

Points table scenario

With this victory, RCB climbed to the top of the IPL 2026 points table, collecting eight points from five matches and boasting a strong net run rate.

LSG, meanwhile, slipped to seventh place with just four points, putting additional pressure on the team as the tournament progresses.

Conclusion

Nicholas Pooran’s candid assessment reflects the challenges LSG are currently facing in IPL 2026. While there are signs of individual form, the team will need to deliver a more cohesive batting performance to stay competitive in the coming matches.


(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by News Karnataka staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)