Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has advised the Lucknow Super Giants to make a bold leadership change, suggesting that Rishabh Pant be relieved of captaincy duties and replaced by Aiden Markram. His comments came after LSG’s latest defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders, a result that leaves the team with six losses in eight matches this season.
Pant, who was signed for a massive Rs 27 crore, was expected to turn the franchise’s fortunes around. Instead, LSG have struggled badly, including a worrying streak of eight consecutive defeats at the Ekana Stadium. With performances failing to improve, pressure is mounting on both the team and its leadership.
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Jaffer believes the solution lies in freeing Pant from captaincy responsibilities. He argued that Pant performs best when he plays with complete freedom, without the added burden of leadership. According to him, allowing Pant to focus solely on his batting could help him rediscover his destructive form.
Backing Markram as an ideal replacement, Jaffer highlighted the South African’s calm temperament and proven leadership skills at the international level. He also proposed a reshuffled batting order, with Markram and Mitchell Marsh opening, followed by Nicholas Pooran at No. 3 and Pant at No. 4.
Jaffer’s argument is supported by numbers. Pant’s most successful IPL season came in 2018, when he scored 684 runs at a strike rate near 174—before taking on captaincy. This season, however, his returns have dipped significantly, underlining the impact of added responsibility.
