Virender Sehwag Rips Into LSG Management After Failed Chase vs KKR

Virender Sehwag criticised the LSG management after Super Over loss to KKR, questioning decisions by Kane Williamson, Justin Langer and Tom Moody in IPL 2026.

Virender Sehwag has criticised Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) management after their Super Over defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 38 of IPL 2026. LSG failed to chase 156 and managed only 1 run in the Super Over, extending their poor run.

WATCH ALSO | Riyan Parag Caught Vaping During IPL 2026 Chase

Sehwag questioned the team’s tactics, pointing out repeated decisions to bowl first despite struggles while chasing. He said the think tank, including Kane Williamson, Justin Langer and Tom Moody, should have read the situation better.

“Lucknow Super Giants once again failed to chase down a total in this IPL. I just don’t understand. You have a director of cricket and a coach. Kane Williamson, Justin Langer and Tom Moody are all there. Inka kya dimag nahi chalta? (Do they not use their brains?) Are they not able to see how their team has been performing? The team is not being able to bat, and still they are winning the toss and inviting the opposition to bat,” Sehwag opined via Cricbuzz.

Virender Sehwag Criticises Repeated Chasing Strategy

The former opener then argued that setting a target of 140 to 150 could have created pressure on KKR. Instead, LSG continued to chase totals without success. Sehwag added that such decisions from an experienced management group remain difficult to understand as the team continues to fail in IPL 2026.

READ ALSO | Angkrish Raghuvanshi Out For Obstructing the Field After Mix-Up vs LSG

“If they won the toss and opted to bat first, even if they scored 140 to 150, the pressure would have been on KKR. I cannot understand this. You are not able to chase, but you are hell-bent and fixated on wanting to chase. Ye kahan ki samajhdari hai? Kaun le raha hai decisions? (How wise is this? Who is taking all these calls?),” he added.

LSG Face Must-Win Situation in Remaining 6 Matches

Lucknow Super Giants sit last with 2 wins and 6 losses in 8 matches, carrying a negative NRR of -1.106. They remain in contention for IPL 2026 playoffs but face a massive challenge. The team needs to win all 6 remaining matches to reach 16 points, a total that usually secures a top-four finish.

A slimmer route exists if they win 5 of 6 matches and finish on 14 points. However, only 1 team has qualified with 14 points in a 74-match season, when RCB advanced in IPL 2024 on higher NRR. In IPL 2025, Delhi Capitals missed qualification despite 15 points.

LSG next face Mumbai Indians on May 4 at Wankhede Stadium, followed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 7 in Lucknow. They then meet Chennai Super Kings twice on May 10 in Chennai and May 15 in Lucknow. Matches against Rajasthan Royals on May 19 in Jaipur and Punjab Kings on May 23 in Lucknow complete their schedule.