Rishabh Pant made a courageous comeback to the crease but failed to make an impact during the IPL 2026 face-off between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Wednesday, April 15, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Pant initially retired hurt without scoring any runs, only to come back later and score just one run off six deliveries before Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed him.
The left-handed batsman entered the field after Aiden Markram was dismissed by Rasikh Salam Dar, with Lucknow Super Giants batting first as per the match’s requirement. Early into his innings, Pant tried to play across the line but was hit by a straight delivery from Josh Hazlewood, causing visible discomfort.
Following the incident, the physio attended to Pant, applying a spray to the affected elbow. Pant left the field due to the injury, with Hazlewood checking on him and offering support.
Returning to the game in the 16th over with Lucknow Super Giants at 118 for five, Pant’s presence did not provide the expected boost. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s exceptional effort, supported by Phil Salt’s brilliant fielding at deep square leg, ended Pant’s innings in the following over.
Although Pant managed to whip a full toss off his pads, Salt’s exceptional diving catch denied him a significant score. Pant’s performance in the tournament had been underwhelming, with only 104 runs from five matches at an average of 26 and a strike rate of 122.35. Apart from his unbeaten 68 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he struggled for consistency, scoring 7, 10, 18, and 1 in other matches.
Looking ahead, Pant will be eager to regain form when Lucknow Super Giants clash with the in-form Punjab Kings on Sunday, April 19, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh.