Lucknow Super Giants skipper and Indian cricket star Rishabh Pant’s disappointing start to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 persisted as the 27-year-old was dismissed for just 2 runs in the fifth over of the match against Punjab Kings on 2nd April. Glenn Maxwell claimed Pant’s wicket, marking yet another low point in his tenure with LSG.
Pant, who became the most expensive player in IPL history during the mega auction in Jeddah, was roped in for a staggering Rs 27 crore. However, his performances have not lived up to the hype, with the wicketkeeper-batsman managing just 17 runs across his first three matches for the new franchise. His scores of 0, 15, and 2 have drawn heavy criticism from Indian cricket fans, many of whom took to social media to slam both his form and his hefty price tag, labelling the star batter as “overpriced.” |IPL 2025, LSG vs PBKS: Score|
IPL 2025 Coverage | IPL Points Table | IPL Schedule
Adding to Pant’s struggles is the contrasting form of Punjab Kings skipper and fellow India teammate Shreyas Iyer, who was picked up for Rs 26.75 crore in the same mega auction, making him the second most expensive player. Iyer has lived up to expectations with an unbeaten 97 against Gujarat Titans, steering his side to victory in their season opener. The stark difference in performance has already sparked comparisons between the two Indian stars.
After parting ways with their previous skipper KL Rahul, who subsequently joined Pant’s former side Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants were hopeful that Pant’s explosive batting would inject firepower into the lineup. However, his struggles at the crease have raised questions about the hefty investment.
While Pant did manage to lead LSG to a win against Sunrisers Hyderabad, bouncing back from their season opener loss against Delhi Capitals, his lack of form with the bat remains a pressing issue that the franchise will need to address promptly.
