IPL 2026: Dale Steyn criticizes LSG for sending in Nicholas Pooran in Super Over against KKR. Read
Lucknow Super Giants of Super Over In Kolkata Knight Riders The dramatic defeat against has sparked heavy criticism, including former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn Has raised questions on the decision of the team management in which Nicholas Pooran Was sent to bat first in the tie-breaker.
LSG suffered another painful defeat at the Ekana Stadium on Sunday, April 26, as KKR held their composure in a tense finale and put Lucknow in further trouble. The defeat was LSG’s fifth consecutive defeat of the season and pushed them to the bottom of the points table, putting serious pressure on captain Rishabh Pant and his team.
Nicholas Pooran’s struggle continues in IPL 2026
Pooran’s tough journey to IPL 2026 continued into the night. The left-handed batsman scored only nine runs during the main innings when he was hit by a mysterious spinner. Varun Chakraborty Got out. When the match reached the Super Over, LSG once again relied on Pooran to perform under pressure, but the result was even more disappointing.
senior spinner Sunil Narine He was dismissed on the first ball itself, due to which Lucknow was immediately left behind. It was a familiar story for Pooran, who now has a worrying record in IPL Super Overs. In three Super Over appearances in the league, he has been out first ball each time.
His overall figures this season have also not been satisfactory, scoring only 82 runs at an average of 10.25, making the decision to send him in early at such a high-pressure moment all the more surprising.
Dale Steyn called it a big strategic mistake
Speaking after the match, Steyn left no stone unturned in his opinion. He said that LSG had better options available and described the move as a serious strategic mistake at a crucial stage of the tournament.
According to Steyn, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pantor even Mukul Choudhary Players like him would have been strong options considering their current form and confidence levels.
He also pointed out that Pooran did not look comfortable throughout the season and demanding an immediate performance from him in the Super Over was a gamble that did not make sense. Steyn also suggested that the batsmen themselves may lack the confidence required for such a moment.
“Three Super Overs, three ducks for Nicholas Pooran in the IPL. So yes, absolutely, would you send anyone else? Of course. You have players like Mitch Marsh, Rishabh Pant, and Mukul Choudhary. Looking at Pooran’s recent form, there were other options. He hasn’t scored more than 30 or 40 runs this season, I don’t know the exact figures, but sending him on the first ball in a Super Over is almost a criminal decision to get you runs,” Steyn said on Star Sports.
The former fast bowler insisted that teams fighting for survival in the tournament are not allowed to take emotional or risky decisions. Instead, they must rely on players who are timing the ball well and showing confidence in pressure situations.
“It was a decision that could have gone either way, but at this stage of the season, when you are desperate to win, you don’t send in a batsman who couldn’t perform all season. You go with players who are hitting the ball well, trust guys who can send the ball across the boundary, or at least get back to work,” Steyn added.
LSG’s season hanging by a thread
Steyn also said that while Pooran is a world-class player, form is very important in T20 cricket, especially when every match becomes a must-win contest.
Lucknow’s repeated mistakes are now costing them dearly. Five consecutive defeats have left their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, and the pressure inside the camp is mounting rapidly.
The franchise will now focus on a big clash against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on May 4. With time ticking fast, LSG need to find answers quickly if they want to save their IPL 2026 journey before it is completely over.
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