Rishabh Pant had to stop batting for LSG against RCB because of the painful blow to his left elbow – a really worrying injury during the IPL 2026 game. In the fifth over, Josh Hazlewood bowled a quick, short ball and Pant was hit on the elbow as he tried to hit it away with a strong pull shot, and the ball nearly hit the stumps.
Pant walks off after Hazlewood short ball
Josh Hazlewood was back in the RCB starting eleven and bowled a quick ball that came in at Pant, and was a bit short. Pant didn’t get his bat to it quickly enough, didn’t have much room, and the ball heavily struck his left elbow, near the joint.
The game stopped instantly. Pant tried to carry on, but couldn’t move his left arm properly. He attempted to hit the next ball, but couldn’t swing freely, and after a quick check by the team doctors on the field, he walked off.
What happened strongly suggested it wasn’t a minor knock. Pant was clearly in pain and him leaving the field was a big alarm for his teammates and the fans.
Immediate medical response and on-field reaction
The LSG team doctor rushed out to look at Pant and gave him spray to help with the pain. He left the field with the doctor, looking upset and holding his injured elbow.
His teammates looked worried as their captain walked off the field. Videos and comments spread quickly on social media, with fans being anxious and asking the team for news.
LSG hasn’t yet given a full medical report. We don’t know exactly how bad the damage is until the team releases the results of any scans or makes an official announcement.
Why the elbow injury is particularly concerning
An injury to the elbow is a bigger problem for a wicketkeeper and batter like Pant. The elbow is essential for the swing of the bat, holding the bat, catching the ball from the bowler, and throwing – even a small impact can make lots of his skills suffer.
Pant is also the captain of LSG, so how fit he is affects the team’s leadership and tactics during the game. He has played on through pain before, so his decision to stop batting shows just how much discomfort he’s in.
Right now, the main things to worry about are swelling, not being able to move his arm as far as usual, or any problems with the nerves in his arm. Any of these could mean he needs to rest or have more tests, which would change plans for this game and how available he is in the future.
Implications for LSG’s match and tournament
Pant being out of the middle of the innings messes with LSG’s team balance. They’ll need someone to replace his runs with the bat and his work as wicketkeeper, and someone to take over the leadership of the team while he’s not there. This is especially difficult against RCB’s strong batting lineup.
If Pant needs scans or treatment, the team will have to make tactical choices. The coaches might change the order in which players bat, bring in a substitute wicketkeeper, or change where the players are positioned in the field to deal with the leadership gap.
More than just this one game, Pant being out for a while could affect LSG’s progress in the tournament. Teams usually plan around a captain and wicketkeeper as good as Pant, and if he is out for a significant time, they’ll need a ‘plan B’.
Next steps and what fans should watch for
The most important information will come from the official medical statement from the team. We’ll want to hear what the pictures from X-rays or an MRI show, and how long they expect him to be recovering. This will decide if Pant can play any further in the series.
For now, LSG need to find replacements for him on the field and to keep a close watch on Pant for swelling, how far he can move his arm, and if he has any nerve issues. The coaches will likely be careful about what they say, so they don’t guess at things too early.
Fans and people who analyze the game should look at what the team officially says for the correct information. At the moment, it’s obvious Pant was badly hit, received treatment, and left the field – and that could have a big effect on LSG in this game and in the future.
