Former India batsman Wasim Jaffer advised Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) management to make Aiden Markram the captain in place of Rishabh Pant in IPL 2026. Jaffer said removing the burden of leadership could free up Pant, allowing the wicketkeeper-batsman to play more freely and win matches single-handedly.
Lucknow Super Giants will host Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Sunday, April 26. The Super Giants are currently placed ninth in the 10-team points table. The Rishabh Pant-led side have won two and suffered five defeats in their first seven matches in the group stage.
I will make Aiden Markram the captain – Wasim Jaffer suggests replacing Rishabh Pant
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Wasim Jaffer suggested major changes for the Lucknow Super Giants. He expressed concern over Rishabh Pant and said that appointing Aiden Markram as captain should be the top priority.
“LSG look completely out of place right now, it’s hard to even know what to expect from them. If I were in that dugout, the first thing I would do is make Aiden Markram the captain. I would open with Markram and Mitchell Marsh.”
“Nicholas Pooran at number three, then Rishabh Pant at number four, and Ayush Badoni at number five. Abdul Samad at number six and Mukul Chaudhary at number seven. That will be my top seven, and I will go with this batting order.”
Rishabh Pant should play completely as a player – Wasim Jaffer
Rishabh Pant’s IPL season has been disappointing so far. In seven innings he has scored just 147 runs at an average of 24.50, which includes only one half-century. His strike rate of 132.43 was also below expectations.
In their recent 40-run defeat to Rajasthan Royals at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Pant was out for a duck on three balls. Chasing 160 runs, Lucknow Super Giants team was out for 119 runs in 18 overs.
Wasim Jaffer also said that Aiden Markram has better leadership abilities than Rishabh Pant. He pointed to Markram’s experience in leading South Africa and praised his calm approach and mental strength to get the best out of the Lucknow Supergiants team.
“I think a player like Rishabh Pant should play completely as a player. When you free him and ask him to go out and play and win matches on his own, you get the best out of him. Don’t put the burden of captaincy on him. I think Aiden Markram is a better captain. He has led South Africa very successfully, he is mentally strong, very calm, and I think he can get the best out of other players. But not like that Guess that’s just my suggestion, but if it were me, I’d do it.”
I think Ajinkya Rahane should remain captain – Wasim Jaffer
Wasim Jaffer recently backed Ajinkya Rahane to remain the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders despite his recent decline in batting. Jaffer also suggested that Kolkata Knight Riders should make better use of Sunil Narine’s batting. He said that batting at number eight limits his impact.
Jaffer said, “I think Ajinkya should remain the captain. I don’t see any problem in his captaincy. He started the tournament well and batted well, but in the last four or five matches he has not scored runs and is clearly feeling the pressure, there is no doubt about that.”
“But I think somehow you have to get the best out of Narine as a batsman. You have to send him up the order, because at number eight you can’t expect much from him, that’s not his game. Whether you want to play Seifert or Finn Allen, it’s your choice. Both are good players and aggressive batsmen. Ajinkya should bat at number three. I would go with KKR, because with LSG it is difficult to understand which one.” The team will come and what will happen on the given day.
