Lucknow Super Giants skipper Rishabh Pant was expected to set the IPL 2025 stage on fire. The fans and experts were cheering for his comeback in this season’s IPL. But now, as the tournament enters its crucial phase, the same fans are left shaking their heads in frustration.
During the just-concluded game against DC, a picture of LSG owner Sanjeev Goenka with a strange smile after Pant’s dismissal grabbed everyone’s attention on social media.
Rishabh Pant tries to copy MS Dhoni but pays the price
What was most baffling is Pant’s recent decision to demote himself to No.7 against Delhi Capitals, a move that reminded everyone of MS Dhoni’s lower-order position at CSK. Well, this is not the Rishabh Pant we know. Instead of rising to the occasion, he passed the responsibility on to others and walked out only in the final over, only to depart for a two-ball duck.
LSG posted 159/6 in their allotted quota of 20 overs. On the other hand, Mukesh Kumar was the pick of the bowlers for DC as he accounted for four dismissals. In reply, the Delhi-based franchise chased down the target without any fuss and won the game by 8 wickets in 17.5 overs. Abhishek Porel (51) and KL Rahul (57*) anchored the run chase with ease.
Scary Smile of Goenka after Pant’s Wicket 🥶 pic.twitter.com/5qEUQIQyk6
— 𝐒𝐮𝐣𝐚𝐥 ⚡️ (@HeroicRohit) April 22, 2025
The Roorkie-born cricketer mustered just 106 runs in nine matches, with an average that limps below 15. For a player bought for a jaw-dropping INR 27 crore at the auction, the series of paltry scores has been disappointing.
He was expected to be the backbone of LSG’s batting order, leading from the front as both captain and senior batter. Instead, his performances have been a pale shadow of the explosive Pant everyone once feared.
Some may argue he is still finding his rhythm post-injury, but IPL is not a charity ground. Teams are built to win, and expectations from top-tier players, especially those with a Rs 27 crore tag, are high. The truth is that Pant has looked rusty, indecisive, and out of sync right now, and his shot selection has been questionable as well.
Cricket is a game of form and confidence, and as things stand, Rishabh Pant is running low on both. If he doesn’t pull up his socks soon in the second half of the IPL 2025 season, then it might negatively impact LSG’s playoff hopes. Currently, LSG are fifth on the table with five wins and four defeats.
