Social media furious over sending Nicholas Pooran in Super Over, serious questions raised on LSG’s decision

News India Live, Digital Desk: After the thrilling defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2026, the management and captain Rishabh Pant of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are being severely criticized. The main reason for this controversy is sending Nicholas Pooran to bat in the super over. Experts and fans have termed this decision as ‘criminal’ (big mistake), because Puran has failed to find his rhythm in the entire season so far. Why are questions being raised? (‘Worse’ performance of the entire season) Statistics testify that Nicholas Pooran is going through the worst form of his career. Fans argue that when a batsman is continuously failing, then sending him in a high-voltage moment like the Super Over is like inviting defeat for the team. Puran’s statistics in IPL 2026: Total matches: 8 Total runs: Only 82 runs Average: 10.25Strike rate: 81.19 (which is very poor in T20 terms) In the match against KKR: Main points before the Super Over Even in the innings, Puran had scored only 9 runs in 12 balls. What happened in the Super Over? When the match reached the Super Over, Lucknow had a small target to win. Strategy: Lucknow surprised everyone by sending Nicholas Puran to the opening along with Rishabh Pant. Result: Puran lost his wicket while trying to hit a big shot on the very first ball of Sunil Narine. Criticism: Former cricketers say that when your With players like Aiden Markram or Ayush Badoni in good form (Markram had scored 31 runs in the main match), it made no sense to send Puran off. Outbursts of anger on social media: Fans on Twitter and other platforms are calling Lucknow’s decision “the worst decision of the season”. It is a crime to send a player who has not even scored 100 runs in 8 matches to the Super Over. This is a failure of management, players. “No.” – A Viral Tweet Defense of Management? Although no official statement has come from the team, it is believed that considering Puran’s ‘match-winner’ image and his previous record (500+ runs in 2024 and 2025), confidence was expressed in him. But the poor form of 2026 cost the team heavily this time.