As the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) top three crumbled against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in an IPL 2025 match on Sunday (May 4), expectations were high from skipper Rishabh Pant to stand up and deliver for his team. However, he failed to live up to the expectation once again.
The wicketkeeper-batter, who was signed for a record sum of INR 27 crore in the mega auction, hasn't produced a single meaningful knock this season, and the match against PBKS was no different. He managed to score only 18 off 17 balls while batting at No. 4.
Overall, the southpaw has aggregated only 128 runs from 10 innings at an average of 12.80 and a strike rate of 99.22, including one half-century.
After his recent failure, Australian legend Adam Gilchrist claimed that Rishabh Pant isn’t enjoying his cricket in the ongoing IPL and is missing the spark.
“Watching him, you always feel that he enjoys his cricket. We haven't seen that this time around. Haven't seen him smiling, laughing, being jovial, being relaxed. Maybe it is the responsibility of the captaincy, coming into a new franchise with that highest price tag over his head. I don't see him being his true personality. People may see hang on there, his batting has been too carefree,” Gilchrist said on Cricbuzz.
Moreover, Gilchrist mentioned that the spark seems to be missing in Pant as his usual chirping personality hasn’t come through in this year’s IPL.
“I think there is a happy balance in his strokeplay and stroke selection. Don't see the spark in him. Just don't see that spark in him. I am just making this observation 10-11 games in. He's one of the most enjoyable and entertaining cricketers to watch when his natural colour is coming through. He is a certain personality; he has a vibrant body language. Something is missing there, something is missing,” he added.
With this loss against PBKS, LSG slipped to the seventh spot in team standings, having 10 points to their name from 11 matches. The Rishabh Pant-led side needs to win their remaining three league fixtures to keep the playoffs hopes alive.
Lucknow Super Giants will next face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Friday (May 9).
