Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant faced a challenging match against his former team, Delhi Capitals, on April 22, 2025, in the ongoing IPL 2025 season. The encounter at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium ended in disappointment for Pant, who was dismissed for a golden duck after coming to bat at No. 7, a position he had not occupied in his last 113 IPL innings.
Pant, who is the costliest player in IPL history after being bought for a staggering Rs 27 crore, has struggled to find form this season. His batting order shift raised eyebrows, especially as he walked out to bat with only two balls remaining in the innings. This decision came as LSG was in dire need of runs, having only managed to post a total of 159 for 6 in their 20 overs.
During the match, Pant's right hand was heavily taped, which led to speculation about an injury impacting his performance and batting position. Despite the discomfort, he kept wickets for his team, but his two-ball appearance at the crease was far from the explosive contributions fans expect from him.
After the match, social media erupted with criticism directed at Pant for his late arrival and subsequent dismissal. "Rishabh Pant scored 100 runs, only 1 is missing and 0 was visible," one user quipped, highlighting the frustration among fans. Another user remarked, "Rishabh Pant/27CR getting ready for 2 hours just to face 2 balls," capturing the absurdity of the situation.
Delhi Capitals' bowling attack, led by Mukesh Kumar, was relentless throughout the match. Kumar claimed impressive figures of 4 for 33 in his four overs, while Mitchell Starc and Dushmantha Chameera supported him well, each taking a wicket for just 25 runs. Their clever use of slower deliveries and variations left LSG's batting lineup in disarray, especially after a promising start where they reached 87 without losing a wicket.
However, the second half of the innings saw LSG collapse dramatically, managing only 72 runs in the last 10 overs. The fall of wickets began with the dismissal of their top-order batsmen, including Nicholas Pooran, who was dismissed by Starc for just 9 runs after a brief but aggressive start.
Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh had initially set a solid foundation for LSG, scoring 52 and 45 runs, respectively. Yet, their efforts were undermined by the middle-order collapse, which included the dismissals of Abdul Samad and Pant, leaving Ayush Badoni to shoulder the burden alone. Badoni managed a brisk 36 off 21 balls, but it was not enough to bolster the team's total.
Pant's batting struggles this season have been alarming. Across nine matches, he has only accumulated 106 runs at a dismal average of 13.25. This performance is a stark contrast to the explosive form he is known for, raising questions about his leadership and decision-making on the field. Fans have expressed their frustration, with some suggesting he should return the Rs 27 crore price tag if his form does not improve.
In both matches against Delhi Capitals this season, Pant has been dismissed for a duck, further compounding his woes. The decision to demote himself in the batting order during a crucial phase of the match has led to widespread speculation about his confidence and ability to lead the team effectively.
As the IPL 2025 season progresses, Pant's performance will be under the microscope. The Lucknow Super Giants will need their captain to rediscover his form if they hope to remain competitive in the tournament. The upcoming matches will be crucial for Pant, both as a player and as a leader, as he seeks to turn around his fortunes and silence the growing chorus of criticism.
With the IPL season still unfolding, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Pant can rise to the occasion and fulfill the expectations that come with being the most expensive player in IPL history.
