Rishabh Pant Struggles in IPL 2025, A Season to Forget for LSG
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season has been a rollercoaster, and for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), it ended in disappointment at the Ekana Stadium. As the team walked off the field, all eyes were on Rishabh Pant, the costliest player in IPL history at Rs 27 crore. With a wry smile, Pant removed his gloves, his head bowed after another tough day. Despite LSG’s batsmen putting up a decent show, their weak bowling let them down, sealing their elimination as the fifth team out of the playoffs. Rishabh Pant also has his part of struggles in IPL 2025, his role as LSG’s captain, and what it means for his future, especially with India’s big Test tour to England on the horizon.
Lucknow Super Giants had a mixed IPL 2025 season. Their batting, led by Nichols Pooran, who came close to 500 runs, showed promise but often fell short of big totals. However, their bowling lacked sting, a problem that haunted them all season. Being the fifth team eliminated was respectable, given their bowling issues, but the cameras stayed glued to Pant. Why? Because Pant’s move from Delhi Capitals to LSG, in a swap with Rahul, and his record-breaking Rs 27 crore price tag brought massive expectations.
Pant himself asked fans and critics not to judge the team based on one player. “Every time if you take out the individual, it’s not the right thing to do,” he said earlier. But his performances, both as a batsman and captain, have kept him in the spotlight. Let’s break down Rishabh Pant’s struggles in IPL 2025 and what they mean for him and LSG.
Pant’s Move to LSG: High Stakes, High Pressure
Pant’s transfer to LSG was a blockbuster move. At Delhi Capitals, he had grown tired of constant changes in team management. At LSG, he stepped into a setup where his predecessor, KL Rahul, was publicly criticized by the team owner. As the most expensive player in IPL history, Pant faced huge pressure to deliver as a batsman and captain.
Additionally, questions about Pant’s T20 batting skills added to the scrutiny. While he’s a guaranteed starter in India’s Test team, his white-ball credentials have been debated. Last season, after a life-threatening accident, Pant scored 446 runs at a strike rate of 150.40, earning a spot in India’s T20 World Cup squad. That success feels distant now, as Rishabh Pant’s struggles in IPL 2025 have raised concerns about his form.
Rishabh Pant’s Batting and Captaincy Woes in IPL 2025
Rishabh Pant’s struggles in IPL 2025 are clear in his batting numbers. In 11 innings, his scores were: 0, 15, 2, 2, 21, 63, 3, 0, 4, 18, and 7. That’s a total of 135 runs at a strike rate of 100, a far cry from his usual explosive style. Early in the season, fans believed it was just a matter of time before he found his groove. After all, he was adjusting to a new team, dealing with captaincy pressures, and carrying the weight of his massive price tag. But as the season went on, Rishabh Pant’s struggles in IPL 2025 only deepened.
Former Indian player Kris Srikkanth, on his YouTube channel, pointed out that Pant has been getting out in different ways, a sign of low confidence. “Unfortunately, things are not going Pant’s way,” Srikkanth said. “Even with the bat, he can just play freely and be bold, but he seems to be playing half-hearted shots with no clarity.” Pant’s 360-degree batting, known for its fearless shot-making, has been missing.
Rishabh Pant bro, it's time to retire from the IPL and T20, it's better for your mental health and your team.
Never seen a bigger failure then him in T20 format.pic.twitter.com/Kwi9yXN1rB
— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) May 19, 2025
Beyond his batting, Pant’s captaincy has also faced criticism. At Delhi Capitals, he wasn’t seen as an inspiring leader, and that trend continued at LSG. His on-field decisions, like bowling changes and field placements, have been questioned. For example, LSG’s bowling unit, already their weak link, was often mismanaged, allowing opponents to capitalize. LSG’s lack of bowling depth put extra pressure on Pant’s leadership. Rishabh Pant’s struggles in IPL 2025 as a captain have added to the narrative that he’s not living up to expectations.
Pant’s lack of confidence with the bat is a big concern, especially with India’s five-Test tour to England looming in 2025. Known for his adventurous style, Pant can dominate any bowling attack when in form. His ability to play shots all around the ground makes him a nightmare for bowlers. But in IPL 2025, he’s been hesitant, playing safe shots and lacking clarity. Srikkanth even joked that Pant is “finding new ways to get dismissed,” worse than his own playing days. This dip in form is a red flag for India, as Pant is their most experienced batsman in English conditions after the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, and with KL Rahul also focusing on Tests.
Pant’s struggles aren’t new. During India’s Test tour of Australia, he didn’t score 40 or more until the final innings in Sydney. In white-ball cricket, he was benched during India’s victorious Champions Trophy campaign, showing that India has other options in ODIs and T20s. But in Tests, Pant is crucial. His aggressive batting has won matches, like the Gabba in 2021, and India needs him firing. Rishabh Pant’s struggles in IPL 2025 raise questions about whether he should have been sent to England earlier to prepare, perhaps for India A’s second fixture or the intra-squad match before the first Test.
The England Challenge: A Test for Pant
The upcoming Test series in England will be a tough challenge for Pant. England’s “Bazball” approach, with unconventional field placements and aggressive tactics, tests a batsman’s ego and adaptability. Pant’s fearless style is perfect for countering Bazball, but his current form is a worry. His struggles in IPL 2025 suggest he’s not in the right headspace, and India’s selectors might regret not giving him more time to prepare in English conditions.
In Tests, Rishabh Pant has always thrived, averaging over 40 with a strike rate above 70. His ability to take on bowlers like James Anderson and Ben Stokes has made him a fan favorite. But England’s bowlers, led by Anderson and supported by Ollie Robinson, will exploit any lack of confidence. If Pant can overcome his struggles, the England tour could be his chance to shine and silence critics.
Rishabh Pant’s struggles in IPL 2025 have been a tough chapter for the LSG star. His poor batting form, with just 135 runs at a strike rate of 100, and questionable captaincy have kept him in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. With India’s Test tour to England approaching, Pant needs to rediscover his fearless style to lead India’s batting. Fans are hopeful that Rishabh Pant’s struggles in IPL 2025 will be a temporary setback, and he’ll bounce back stronger in the Tests. Cheer for Pant as he aims to turn his form around.
FAQs About Rishabh Pant and LSG’s Struggles in IPL 2025
- Why has Rishabh Pant struggled in IPL 2025?
Rishabh Pant’s struggles in IPL 2025 stem from low confidence, hesitant shot-making, and the pressure of being the costliest player at Rs 27 crore. His captaincy decisions and LSG’s weak bowling have also added to his challenges.
- How has Pant performed in IPL 2025?
In 11 innings, Rishabh Pant scored 135 runs at a strike rate of 100, with a highest score of 63. His scores include multiple single-digit dismissals, highlighting Rishabh Pant’s struggles in IPL 2025.
- What does Pant’s IPL form mean for India’s England Test tour?
Rishabh Pant’s struggles in IPL 2025 raise concerns about his confidence ahead of the five-Test series in England. As India’s most experienced batsman in English conditions, his form is crucial, and selectors may consider extra preparation time for him.
