The brief IPL suspension didn’t aid Rishabh Pant in getting back into form as the Lucknow Super Giants captain failed once again against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday. The wicketkeeper batter was knocked over for a mere 7 in the crucial do-or-die encounter in Lucknow. He peered somewhat in a hurry and remained in the center for merely six balls before playing it straight to Eshan Malinga, who clung to a difficult catch to see the left-hander return to the pavilion. It was yet another bat failure for Pant, who was signed for a record INR 27 crore.
Pant’s Disappointing Season
Pant has accounted for 128 runs in 12 games at a disappointing strike rate of 99.22, as the wicketkeeper batter has been under the scanner. LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka also showed his frustration at Pant’s cheap dismissal on Monday and stormed out of the stadium’s balcony in anger. His reaction quickly went viral on social media, and fans heavily trolled Pant for his disappointing performance this season.
Sanjiv Goenka’s reaction to Rishab Pant’s early dismissal is understandable. Despite buying in ₹27 crores, Pant couldn’t score 27 runs in the last 5 IPL innings. #LSGvsSRH pic.twitter.com/DIVSNK7bDO
— Dr. Kamal Suryom (@K_Suryom) May 19, 2025
The costliest IPL player has not made even a single half-century this year, and his team is facing relegation.
IPL Match Details: SRH vs LSG Amidst Strong Start for Sunrisers
Earlier, Sunriser skipper Pat Cummins had won the toss and decided to bowl first at Ekana Stadium, Lucknow. SRH have replaced two players, including Harsh Dubey and Atharva Taide for Travis Head and Jaydev Unadkat. LSG has handed a debut to New Zealand pacer Will O’Rourke in the place of David Miller.
After losing the toss, Pant stated that team doesn’t wish to pressure themselves unduly.
“We don’t mind, we have got to do well. We are looking at one match at a time and not putting undue pressure on ourselves. I feel that as a team, we have regrouped well, and we are in a good space as a team. We have only one change, Will O’Rourke is making his debut,” Pant said at the toss.
Batting first, Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram stitched a solid 115-run stand for the opening wicket. Their partnership laid the groundwork for a big total. Marsh smashed 65 off just 39 balls, hitting six fours and four sixes. Markram, at the other end, contributed a fluent 61 from 38 deliveries. The Proteas batsman hit four sixes and an equal number of fours.
