Dale Steyn amplifies Sanjiv Goenka’s anger, blasts Rishabh Pant and LSG’s ‘criminal’ Nicholas Pooran move vs KKR

Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn laid out his anger against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) management after the franchise fell to a fifth consecutive loss in IPL 2026.

Steyn minced no words as he first commented on LSG batter Nicholas Pooran's horrible form in IPL 2026 on Twitter and later called the Lucknow Super Giants management's decision-making criminal.

Lucknow Super Giants lost in the Super Over against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday after the match was tied.

"Couldn't hit water" - Steyn on LSG star

In the Super Over, LSG sent an infamously out-of-form Nicholas Pooran to bat alongside Aiden Markram. For KKR, Sunil Narine delivered the over and dismissed both batters for a golden duck.

Pooran was dismissed on the very first ball of the Super Over, trying to slash a delivery with a sharp turn into the leg side. After his dismissal, Steyn took to X and lamented Pooran's poor run of form.

Couldn’t hit water if he fell out a boat.

Tough times

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) April 26, 2026

In IPL 2026, LSG batter Nicholas Pooran has made just 82 runs in 8 matches at a strike rate of 81.18

"LSG's decision almost criminal" - Steyn

Speaking to host broadcaster JioHotstar after the match, Steyn questioned the LSG think-tank's decision to send Nicholas Pooran out to bat in the Super over, given his very poor form.

In regulation time, Pooran struggled and made 9 runs from 15 balls before being bowled by Varun Chakaravarthy.

Incidentally, Pooran has been a part of a T20 match that has gone to a Super Over five times. Even though he is considered to be one of the best T20 players of the last few years, Pooran has made four ducks in Super Overs, and in the other one, he was out for just one run.

“Three Super Overs for Nicholas Pooran in the IPL, three ducks. So, yes, absolutely. Would you send someone else? Of course. You’ve got players like Mitch Marsh, Rishabh Pant, and Mukul Choudhary. Given Pooran’s recent form, there were other options," Steyn said.

"He hasn’t scored more than 30 or 40 runs this season, I don’t know the exact numbers, but to send him in first ball in a Super Over to get you runs is almost a criminal decision,” he added.

Also Read: "Rinku's innings was amazing": Ajinkya Rahane lauds Rinku Singh after Super Over win against LSG in IPL 2026

"I don't think even Pooran believes he can do it now" - Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn continued to talk about Nicholas Pooran's poor form and said that an out-of-form batter like him shouldn't be playing in a crucial stage.

“It could have gone either way, but at this stage of the season, when you’re desperate to win, you don’t send in a batter who hasn’t delivered all season. You go with players who’ve been striking the ball well, guys you trust to clear the ropes, or at least back to do the job. I don’t even think Nicholas Pooran believes he can do it right now; he’s in such a bad run of form,” Steyn said.

“It’s unfortunate because he’s such a wonderful player. But when you’re trying to revive your season, you can’t afford blunders like that, not at this level,” he added.

The loss on Sunday was the fifth in a row for Lucknow Super Giants. With just two wins in eight matches, they are now languishing at the bottom of the points table. Another loss would all but end their season and leave them out of the playoffs for a third year in a row.