Former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has criticized Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant’s performance in IPL 2025, highlighting concerns about his shot selection and suggesting a return to basics. Pant, who was acquired for Rs 27 crore in the auction, has struggled with just 128 runs in ten innings, including five single-digit scores and one duck.Pant’s recent performance against Punjab Kings saw him score only 18 runs off 17 balls while chasing 237, as LSG lost by 37 runs.The team currently sits seventh on the points table with 10 points from 11 matches.“The problem with Rishabh Pant is his shot selection. You can’t hit your way out of trouble every time. Maybe it’s the pressure of his own reputation that’s weighing him down and not allowing him to relax. It shows – his frustration is visible. As captain, he often loses his cool, that gives the opposition an edge. Look at Dhoni – calm, composed, giving nothing away. Pant needs to tune his mindset, especially around shot selection. He needs to go back to the basics,” Sidhu said on JioHotstar.
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Should Rishabh Pant change his shot selection strategy in IPL 2025?
Regarding LSG’s playoff chances, Sidhu noted that their prospects remain uncertain even if they win all remaining matches due to their poor net run rate, which is currently the lowest in the tournament.Sidhu also praised young opener Priyansh Arya‘s performance against Delhi Capitals in Dharamshala, where he scored 70 runs off 34 balls with six sixes and five fours.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player?“Nobody would have expected this type of innings. This is incredible. I’ve never seen anyone at this age dominate bowling like Priyansh does, except for maybe Sachin Tendulkar. He has magical wrists. When he goes on the back foot and hits a six – stepping out and hitting is easier, but standing in position and hitting a six off the back foot is special. Whether it’s a yorker or a short ball, he’s hitting them for sixes. That’s amazing. His range and all-round ability come from those wrists. If he stays injury-free, this boy will play for India very soon and for a long time,” Sidhu said.
