Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are going through a tough phase in the ongoing IPL 2026, and their 54-run loss to Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 20 only made things worse. After a tough loss against PBKS, Aakash Chopra questioned LSG’s approach and strategy, especially the batting.
He Lucknow Supergiants Team They looked completely confused with their batting order, and it cost them dearly as they chased the huge target of 255 runs in New Chandigarh.
Aakash Chopra questions LSG strategy after PBKS loss in IPL 2026
It was a high scoring match as Punjab Kings posted a massive 254/7 and put Lucknow Super Giants under massive pressure right from the start. Chasing the huge target, LSG made the big mistake by sending Ayush Badoni to open the innings against PBKS.
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Aakash Chopra has pointed out that teams usually do everything possible from the beginning, but LSG’s plan did not seem clear. They weren’t completely aggressive or playing safe, and this confusing approach made things worse as the required running speed continued to increase and they eventually ended up being eliminated for 200.
Chopra said in a video posted on YouTube: “Lucknow Super Giants, who prepared their batting order? It’s like the numbers are written behind a bat. I had a feeling like this because Ayush Badoni had opened only once before this. Why did they make him open? You were chasing 250 runs. If you are chasing 255, all your fighter jets and tanks should have been deployed at the start. Send your best batsmen. If something happens, it happens, or else Otherwise you are losing in any case.”
Please make Aiden Markram bat at the top: Aakash Chopra
The former Indian batsman has stressed that losing by such a big margin despite having wickets left is meaningless. He noted that this defeat showed that Lucknow’s approach was not correct against PBKS as they did not go all out or try to deepen the game properly.
The great and shocking call was falling. Aiden Markram up to the batting order. Despite coming to bat at number six, Markram played an aggressive knock of 42 off 22 balls, proving that he could have made a bigger impact had he been allowed to continue as an opener, Chopra felt.
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Chopra said: “They were neither here nor there, and it is disappointing. In my opinion, the batting order was in complete disarray. They dropped Markram down the order. They have done it for the second time in this tournament. Please make Markram bat at the top. He will do well only there. Would you penalize him for conceding 32 runs in one over?”
Bad form and predictable moments hurt LSG
Furthermore, the commentator was not happy with the captain. RISHABH PANTSDespite scoring 43 runs off 23 balls while batting at number three against the Punjab Kings. Chopra also highlighted how Nicholas Pooran is going through a “regrettable form” with the bat.
Chopra also mentioned that things seemed quite predictable during the chase. Yuzvendra Chahal dismissed Mitchell Marsh at a key moment and after that the game completely slipped away from LSG without any strong reaction. Demand better performance from Marsh.