Rishabh Pant’s IPL 2025 season with the Lucknow Super Giants has been a rough one. Despite a few decent performances from the team earlier in the season, Pant’s ongoing struggles with the bat are now drawing serious attention. After 11 matches, he has managed just 128 runs, averaging 12.80 with a strike rate of 99.22.
The latest match against Punjab Kings highlighted his struggles again. Chasing a daunting 236 on a batting-friendly pitch, Pant had the perfect chance to deliver—but failed once more. In a bizarre dismissal, he lost grip of his bat while attempting a shot, and it landed near square leg. The ball, meanwhile, was easily caught by Shashank Singh in the circle.
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out, former India batter Ambati Rayudu expressed concern: “I’m feeling very sorry for him. He’s not changing his approach or batting order—he’s being too stubborn. It’s not working right now, and he’s clearly going through a very bad patch.”
Rayudu emphasized the need for Pant to adapt: “I hope he learns from this, stops being rigid, and just works on getting better every day. That’s all you can do when you’re struggling.”
He also offered a suggestion: “In white-ball cricket, Pant should ideally open the innings. He hasn’t been effective in the middle order. Maybe he has the skills—but not the mindset—for that role.”
