Rishabh Pant has handed Lucknow Super Giants a timely lift ahead of their IPL 2026 clash against the Punjab Kings, with the LSG captain cleared to play after an injury score in the previous game against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The wicket-keeper batter had sparked concern after being struck on the left arm by a sharp Josh Hazlewood short ball during LSG’s match against RCB on April 15, forcing him to leave the field in visible discomfort.

The incident came at a delicate time for the franchise. Lucknow are in a phase where every result matters, and Pant’s availability is central not only because he is the captain and wicketkeeper, but also because he remains one of the side’s biggest batting pillars despite a modest start to the season. The immediate visual from the RCB game had suggested a potentially serious problem, especially given Hazlewood’s pace and the way Pant reacted after taking the blow around the left elbow or forearm area.

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That update followed an encouraging medical assessment of the injury. Reports said scans showed that Pant had suffered a bruise rather than a fracture, allowing him to return to training with the squad before the Punjab Kings fixture. For Lucknow, that is a huge relief. A longer absence for Pant would have hurt the team tactically and mentally, especially with the tournament entering a stretch where momentum can swing quickly.

The focus now shifts from fitness to impact. Rishabh Pant’s numbers this season have not yet matched the standards expected from a player of his stature, which means his return carries pressure as well as relief. Lucknow will not just want him back in the XI; they will want him to influence the game as a batter, leader and decision-maker against a Punjab side capable of exploiting any weakness.

For now, though, the headline for LSG is simple and significant. What looked like a worrying injury against RCB has not turned into a damaging setback. Pant has avoided a serious issue, resumed training, and has been cleared to play. For a team searching for stability and momentum, that is exactly the kind of lift they neded before the crucial fixture.

Shreyas Iyer (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has heaped praise on Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer, highlighting his evolution as both a batter and a leader over the past two years. Ashwin believes Iyer is steadily growing into a captain whom players trust and look up to, crediting his leadership style and consistent performances with the bat as key factors behind Punjab’s success.Iyer’s leadership journey gained prominence last season when he guided PBKS to their first IPL final in 11 years. His standout knock of an unbeaten 87 off 41 balls against Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 not only underlined his batting class but also showcased his ability to deliver under pressure. The win marked PBKS’ first-ever successful 200-plus chase against Mumbai in IPL history.This season, Iyer has carried that momentum forward. With four wins in five matches (along with one washout), Punjab Kings currently sit atop the IPL 2026 points table.Creating a ‘Brotherhood’ CultureAshwin pointed out that Iyer’s biggest strength as a captain lies in the environment he has created within the team. “Just the comfort that he is creating around the team, to say, we will have a brotherly conversation. It’s a brotherhood here. At the end of the day, I have played in teams where there is always that layer that you can’t… You are just not able to go up to the captain or the coach and say, ‘I will deliver this for you’. And it’s happened,” Ashwin said on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut programme.“Just the fact that he has kept it simple like how it is being done in your gully or in your tennis-ball game back home, where we do this all the time with our captain or with our friend. That atmosphere is amazing. And I think the way he is batting, he is growing into the role of a leader that the players are looking up to, which is a lethal combination,” Ashwin added. Iyer’s excellent batting form has further strengthened his captaincy. The right-hander has scored 203 runs in five matches this season at a blistering strike rate of 187.96, including scores of 50, 69* and 66 in his last three innings.According to Ashwin, Iyer’s presence at the crease is now intimidating bowlers.“His sheer presence (at the crease) is terrifying the bowlers in many ways. And how has he done that? His appetite to be able to upskill himself is sensational. I’ve played cricket for quite an amount of time. I’ve interacted with a lot of cricketers, not many have the appetite to be able to leave what they’re good at and explore areas where they’re weak. You would have seen a lot of careers pan out where people have not worked on their weaknesses at all,” he concluded.