Mohammed Shami riles up Rishabh Pant; then forced to change tune as LSG captain goes berserk ahead of KKR tie

Mohammed Shami and Rishabh Pant engaged in a light-hearted banter ahead of LSG's next IPL 2026 match against KKR.

Updated on: Apr 9, 2026, 14:30:49 IST

Edited by Aditya Bhattacharya

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Lucknow Super Giants currently sit seventh on this year’s Indian Premier League points table amid a mixed start to their campaign – one win in two matches. Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who took over the reins of LSG from KL Rahul in 2025 after being bought for a record-breaking deal of ₹27 crore at the 2025 IPL auction, continues to enjoy immense backing from the franchise leadership despite a lacklustre 2025 season, largely due to the skillset he possesses.

Mohammed Shami, left, and Rishabh Pant (PTI)

Also Read: Rishabh Pant shuts outside noise, responds to critics after guiding LSG to victory

It is evident that Pant, known to be a proven finisher in the middle order, has stepped up his role for the franchise by batting at No.3. The move initially surprised fans and pundits, who questioned his ability to build an innings from the top. However, his versatility was on display with a match-winning knock against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Also Read: The big Mohammed Shami mess; somebody should tell him it’s not a rebel’s world, and he’d better fall in line with BCCI

Pant led the team from the front with a composed 68 off 50 balls. Known for his explosive presence and tendency to target sixes on every ball, he instead anchored the innings with great maturity, guiding his team to their first win of the season with nine fours along the way. And if his form ahead of tonight’s Kolkata Knight Riders clash is anything to go by, he looked like a million bucks.

LSG recently shared a video on X featuring a playful exchange between the skipper and pacer Mohammed Shami during a net session ahead of Thursday’s contest. The conversation offered fans a glimpse into the dressing room dynamics and the backing Pant receives from his senior players. Pant was connecting a few lust blows, but the sound of his bat lacked something. That’s when Shami tried to rile up his captain, and what followed was pure entertainment.

The Shami-Pant banter

“It’s not sounding too well,” said Shami, promoting Pant to hit them more cleanly. And boy, the LSG captain responded in some style. Suddenly, the strokes appeared more meaty, powerful and laden with timing. As Pant continued to strike sixes, Shami’s turned changed, as he remarked, “ab aisa lag rha hai ki a 8-9 fielder bahar hone chahiye” (it feels like there should be 8–9 fielders outside). After Pant defended the next ball, Shami added cheekily “le sakta tha, bahar nikal gayi” (you could have hit that, it went outside). Pant, backing his aggressive intent, replied, “lappa to mai har ball pe ghuma sakta hu” (I can swing hard at every ball).

Watch the clip below:

Pant’s timing looked effortless all over the ground, and what stood out was his growing composure while maintaining an aggressive approach, picking the right scoring opportunities. Shami was quick to applaud this mindset from Pant, he added, “tu hamara sher hai, tu kuch bhi kar” (you are our lion, you can do anything).

The light-hearted banter between Pant and Shami is a testament to the team atmosphere within LSG. This type of unity and positivity could prove crucial as the season proceeds.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Bhattacharya
Aditya Bhattacharya is the Sports Editor at Hindustan Times Digital, with close to 15 years of experience in sports journalism. Over the course of his career, he has worked with leading media organisations including Cricbuzz, The Times of India, Network18 and Zee. Primarily a cricket writer, Aditya has covered several marquee events, including the 2016 ICC World T20, the 2019 ICC World Cup in England and the 2023 World Cup in India. His reporting portfolio also includes international cricket across England, South Africa and New Zealand, along with forays into tennis, including coverage of the Australian Open. He has interviewed several prominent athletes across sports. Aditya began his career with a brief stint at CricketNext before getting his first major break at Cricbuzz, where he was part of the Times Network’s startup venture GoCricket, which later merged with Cricbuzz. After nearly 18 months there, he moved to The Times of India, covering his first World Cup assignment and reporting first-hand on landmark moments such as Virat Kohli’s iconic innings against Australia in Mohali. During his three-year tenure, he played a key role in both reporting and desk operations and was recognised as TOI Employee of the Quarter in 2016. He later joined Zee, where he covered the 2019 World Cup across five venues in England—an assignment he considers a career highlight. At Hindustan Times, Aditya’s leadership came to the fore as he was promoted to lead the sports team within 18 months. Under his stewardship, the section has delivered extensive coverage of global sporting events, including the IPL, Olympics, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. In 2024, he was named HT DigiStar of the Year. Aditya continues to adapt to the evolving digital publishing landscape, with a sharp focus on search and audience engagement. Outside work, he occasionally plays the guitar and remains an avid gamer.Read More

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