Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant remains optimistic about his team’s chances of making it to the Indian Premier League (IPL) play-offs, despite a demoralising 37-run defeat to Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Sunday. Currently sitting at seventh place with 10 points from 11 games and a negative net run rate of -0.47, LSG face an uphill battle. Winning all three remaining matches may still not be sufficient without other results going their way.

“The dream is still alive,” Pant said during the post-match presentation. “If we can win the next three matches, we can definitely turn around and do amazing things.”

Poor fielding and misjudged chase hurt LSG

Pant admitted that chasing a massive target of 236 runs proved too much, especially with LSG’s fielding efforts falling short. “Definitely too many runs. When you drop crucial catches at the wrong time, it can hurt you badly,” he stated. LSG’s inability to adapt early in the game, particularly in assessing the pitch and the bowlers’ lengths, added to their woes.

While the likes of Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, and Nicholas Pooran have underperformed recently, Pant refrained from blaming the top order. “Every match, you cannot hope for the top order to come off. It is part of the game, we have to take it deep sometimes,” he said.

Shreyas Iyer praises team effort as PBKS climbs to second

Meanwhile, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer was delighted with his team’s collective performance, which helped them leap to second place in the 10-team league. He particularly lauded Prabhsimran Singh’s outstanding 91 off 48 deliveries. “The way he performed, it was exceptional and so pleasing to the eye,” said Iyer.

He attributed PBKS’s success to teamwork and confidence. “We have been lucky, but the luck has been because of the hard work. Each and every individual knows their roles precisely and the way they executed, it was top-notch.”

Despite the win, Iyer pointed out one area needing improvement—fielding awareness. “The only thing we need to correct is the awareness (in the field) and the way we move,” he added.

Star cricketer Virat Kohli expressed that the unwavering affection from fans surpasses the value of any championship or trophy, as he reflected on his long-standing loyalty to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Despite RCB’s 18-year quest for an IPL title, Kohli, when asked if he ever considered leaving the franchise, emphasized the emotional bond with supporters. “The love I’ve received from fans is unmatched—no silverware or trophy can compare,” he said.

In IPL 2025, RCB has enjoyed a strong campaign, securing seven victories in 10 matches and nearing a playoff berth, with Kohli contributing 443 runs. The batting maestro also opened up about his decision to retire from T20 Internationals (T20Is) after India’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2024.

Kohli’s match-defining 76 off 59 balls in the final against South Africa, which India won by seven runs, marked his T20I swansong alongside captain Rohit Sharma.

Speaking on a recent RCB podcast episode, Kohli elaborated on his retirement choice, highlighting the need to pave the way for younger players. “My decision to step away from T20Is was to give the next generation a full two-year cycle to grow, handle pressure, and gain experience across global conditions.

By the time the next World Cup arrives, they’ll be ready,” he explained. Kohli’s T20I career spanned 125 matches, amassing 4,188 runs at an impressive average of 48.69, cementing his legacy as one of India’s finest.

Kohli’s reflections underscore his commitment to RCB and Indian cricket, balancing personal achievements with the broader goal of nurturing emerging talent, as he continues to shine in the IPL while cherishing the fans’ enduring support.

Former Australian cricketer and ex-India head coach Greg Chappell emphasized the critical role of a robust support system in nurturing young talent, drawing parallels between cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar and emerging star Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Suryavanshi recently stunned the cricketing world by smashing a 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans, a record-breaking feat that caught Chappell’s attention.

Writing for a leading cricket website, Chappell noted, “Sachin Tendulkar’s teenage success wasn’t just about raw talent. A calm demeanor, a dedicated coach, and a family that shielded him from external pressures formed his backbone. In contrast, Vinod Kambli, equally gifted and perhaps more charismatic, faltered under the weight of fame and lacked discipline, leading to a steep decline.” He also referenced Prithvi Shaw, another prodigy whose career has wavered but retains potential for a comeback.

Tendulkar and Kambli emerged as teenage sensations, but their paths diverged dramatically. Tendulkar amassed 34,357 international runs, cementing his legacy as one of cricket’s greatest. Kambli, despite a meteoric start—including becoming the first Indian to score back-to-back Test double centuries (224 vs. England in Mumbai and 227 vs. Zimbabwe in Delhi)—faded after playing only 17 Tests and 104 ODIs. His inconsistent performances, compounded by off-field struggles, including alcohol addiction and health issues over the past decade, curtailed his career.

Chappell stressed the need to safeguard young talents like Suryavanshi. “The cricketing ecosystem—BCCI, franchises, mentors, and media—must act as a shield. Talent can’t be fully insulated, but it can be supported with care,” he wrote. He advocated for systemic changes, including integrating licensed child psychologists into elite youth programs to address the emotional challenges of adolescence, ensuring prodigies like Suryavanshi are equipped to handle the pressures of fame and expectations while pursuing long-term success.