Lucknow, 27 April (H.S.): Despite five consecutive defeats, Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer has stood by his decision to send Nicholas Pooran to bat in the Super Over against Kolkata Knight Riders, even after the explosive West Indies batter was dismissed on the first ball. Langer argued that backing proven match‑winners is crucial, even when they are out of form.

In the tied match at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Sunil Narine bowled the Super Over, and LSG deliberately went with Pooran despite his recent slump. Langer explained that the team knew Narine would be entrusted with the final overs and that Pooran has faced the left‑arm spinner more than any other batter in world cricket.

“We knew Sunil Narine would bowl it. If you look at Nicky’s record, he has seen Narine more than anyone. We felt he was the best option. You back your best players,” Langer said in the post‑match press conference. Pooran, however, fell first‑ball, and LSG could manage only one run in the Super Over, handing KKR the match.

Langer acknowledged that Pooran is going through a rough patch and admitted the batter is battling a confidence issue. “He is struggling with confidence,” the coach said. “He is working hard every day, and it just shows that even big players are human. Confidence comes from performance.”

Pooran’s IPL‑2026 numbers have been underwhelming, with only around 80–odd runs in eight matches, prompting criticism of his place in the Super Over. Langer, however, insisted that the coaching staff is working with him and expects him to return to his destructive best soon.

Langer blamed the loss largely on the team’s failure to read the pitch properly. The black‑soil surface in Lucknow was slower and took more turn than the batters anticipated, and LSG struggled to adjust. “The conditions were a brilliant cricket pitch, but we didn’t adapt well enough,” he said.

On the bowling front, seamer Mohsin Khan was a standout, taking a five‑wicket haul and earning strong praise from the coach, who backed him to play for India in the near future. Langer also lauded Mohammed Shami and Prince Yadav, though he admitted that giving away too many runs in the last two overs cost the team the game.

With consecutive losses piling pressure, LSG’s management insists that better match‑to‑match assessment and fine‑tuned execution are the only way back to winning ways—and Langer’s continued backing of Pooran signals that the Australian is still willing to place faith in big‑name performers under pressure.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar