Rishabh Pant just can’t seem to catch a break in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper added another disappointing performance to his name, scoring just 2 runs in Match 13 against Punjab Kings at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Fans took to social media to express their frustration, and let’s just say, they weren’t kind.
After a lukewarm return to the IPL this season, Pant walked out to bat at No. 4 with LSG needing stability after losing openers Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram early. Hopes were high that the INR 27 crore man would finally deliver a captain’s knock. However, facing Glenn Maxwell, Pant attempted a cheeky pull shot against a short ball down leg, only to hand a simple catch to Yuzvendra Chahal at short fine leg. The look on Pant’s face said it all—frustration, disappointment, disbelief, all bundled into one.
With Pant’s dismissal, the pressure mounted on LSG, who found themselves in a precarious position at 49/3 after 7 overs, with Nicholas Pooran and Ayush Badoni at the crease trying to stabilize the innings. Fans were quick to criticize Pant for his performance, pointing out that he has managed only 17 runs in three matches this season, with scores of 0, 15, and now 2. One Twitter user lamented, "Rishabh Pant is of no use in T20 cricket! He is a burden for any team. LSG should remove him from captaincy ASAP. Third consecutive failure in IPL 2025," while another joked, "Requesting BCCI to drop Rishabh Pant from Central Contract. He is not even the Top 10 wicketkeeper in India right now."
Pant’s struggles have become a major talking point among fans and analysts alike. His hefty price tag of ₹27 crore, which made him the most expensive player in IPL history, has only intensified the scrutiny on his performances. If he doesn’t find form soon, LSG’s IPL 2025 campaign could face serious hurdles, and the pressure on Pant will only increase.
In the opening match against Delhi Capitals, Pant suffered a torturous six-ball duck, misjudging a delivery from Kuldeep Yadav and providing a catch to Faf du Plessis. He then managed just 15 runs off 15 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he was dismissed after a lengthy third umpire referral for height. With only 17 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 73.91, Pant's performances have been disappointing, raising questions about his ability to lead from the front.
Former players have also weighed in on Pant’s struggles. Ambati Rayudu criticized his shot selection, stating, "We all talked about his shot selection against spin; he is going for that six option rather than playing a four or building an innings." Matthew Hayden echoed similar sentiments, pointing out that Pant wasted crucial balls in a tense situation, emphasizing the need to keep things simple. Piyush Chawla suggested that Pant should angle his shots to rotate the strike, which would help the team in crucial moments.
As the match against Punjab Kings unfolded, LSG’s hopes rested on the middle order to carry the load after Pant’s failure. The atmosphere was tense, with fans eagerly watching to see if Pooran and Badoni could rescue the innings. Despite the top-order collapse, LSG remained in the fight, hoping to set up a competitive total.
In a pre-match interview, Pant expressed his desire to lead LSG to victory, stating, "We wanted to bowl first but there are things which are not under our control, so happy to bat first. There are a lot of people who have come to support us; we are definitely going to give our best." However, his performance on the field has not matched his words, leaving fans wondering if he can live up to the expectations set by his hefty price tag.
As the IPL 2025 season progresses, the pressure is mounting on Rishabh Pant to deliver. With only 17 runs in three matches and the weight of a ₹27 crore investment on his shoulders, the spotlight is firmly on him. Will he rise to the occasion and prove his worth, or will his struggles continue to haunt him? Time will tell as LSG’s campaign unfolds.
