NEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant’s return to competitive cricket in IPL 2025 was expected to be a triumphant chapter in his comeback story, but things haven’t quite clicked for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper.
On Saturday evening, his struggles continued as he managed just 3 runs off 9 balls before falling to Wanindu Hasaranga in an awkward dismissal against Rajasthan Royals.
Trying to reverse-sweep a googly that bounced more than expected, Pant only managed a top-edge.
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Wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel pulled off a juggling act behind the stumps, grabbing the ball after bobbling it multiple times to send Pant back.
The LSG captain didn’t even wait for the umpire’s signal, walking off visibly dejected.
It was a moment that summed up his campaign so far — full of intent but lacking execution.
LSG co-owner Sanjiv Goenka‘s reaction to the dismissal has since gone viral across social media platforms, sparking a meme fest in the process.
So far in IPL 2025, Pant has failed to find impactful scores consistently with the bat.
His numbers paint a worrying picture: scores of 0, 15, 2, 2, 21, 63, and now 3 across seven innings.
Barring a decent outing against Chennai Super Kings, he has looked out of rhythm and short of confidence.
While his wicketkeeping has been steady, snagging a few catches in the process, it’s his batting that has come under increasing scrutiny.
Pant’s inability to convert starts or anchor innings is beginning to hurt Lucknow’s playoff hopes.
Once known for his fearless shot-making and match-winning flair, Pant now looks like a player still finding his footing in franchise cricket this season.
With the tournament entering a crucial phase, both fans and the LSG think tank will hope their captain can rediscover his form before it’s too late.
Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, points table and IPL live score for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Don’t miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap.
