Lucknow Super Giants’ dramatic Super Over loss to Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026 has sparked heavy criticism, with former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn openly questioning the team management’s decision to send Nicholas Pooran out to bat first in the tie-breaker.
LSG suffered yet another painful defeat on Sunday, April 26, at the Ekana Stadium, as KKR held their nerve in a tense finish to push Lucknow further into trouble. The loss marked LSG’s fifth consecutive defeat of the season and dropped them to the bottom of the points table, putting serious pressure on captain Rishabh Pant and his side.
Nicholas Pooran’s struggle continues in IPL 2026
Pooran’s difficult IPL 2026 campaign continued on the night. The left-handed batter managed only nine runs during the main innings before being dismissed by mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy. When the match moved into the Super Over, LSG once again trusted Pooran to deliver under pressure, but the result was even more disappointing.
Veteran spinner Sunil Narine removed him for a first-ball duck, leaving Lucknow on the back foot immediately. It was a familiar story for Pooran, who now has a worrying record in IPL Super Overs. Across three Super Over appearances in the league, he has been dismissed for a duck every single time.
His overall numbers this season have also been far from convincing, with just 82 runs at an average of 10.25, making the decision to send him first in such a high-pressure moment even more surprising.
Dale Steyn calls it a major tactical mistake
Speaking after the match, Steyn did not hold back in his assessment. He felt LSG had far better options available and described the move as a serious tactical error at a crucial stage of the tournament.
According to Steyn, players like Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant, or even Mukul Choudhary would have been stronger choices considering current form and confidence levels.
He pointed out that Pooran has not looked comfortable throughout the season and asking him to deliver instantly in a Super Over was a gamble that simply did not make sense. Steyn even suggested that the batter himself may currently be lacking the confidence needed for such a moment.
“Three Super Overs for Nicholas Pooran in the IPL, three ducks. So yes, absolutely, would you send someone else? Of course. You’ve got players like Mitch Marsh, Rishabh Pant, and Mukul Choudhary. Given 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 numbers, but to send him in first ball in a Super Over to get you runs is almost a criminal decision,” said Steyn on Star Sports.
The former pacer stressed that teams fighting to stay alive in the tournament cannot afford emotional or risky decisions. Instead, they must rely on players who are timing the ball well and showing confidence in pressure situations.
“It’s one that could have gone either way, but at this stage of the season, when you’re desperate to win, you don’t send in a batter who hasn’t delivered all season. You go with players who’ve been striking the ball well, guys you trust to clear the ropes, or at least back to do the job,” added Steyn.
LSG’s season hanging by a thread
Steyn also said that while Pooran remains a world-class player, form matters greatly in T20 cricket, especially when every game becomes a must-win contest.
Lucknow’s repeated mistakes are now costing them dearly. Five straight defeats have left their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, and the pressure is mounting rapidly inside the camp.
The franchise will now turn its attention to a massive clash against the Mumbai Indians on May 4 at the Wankhede Stadium. With time running out, LSG must find quick answers if they hope to rescue their IPL 2026 campaign before it slips away completely.
