Rishabh Pant Shrugs Off ₹27 Crore Tag, But Is He Really at Peace?
7 days ago | 5 Views
Rishabh Pant is currently facing significant challenges. Acquired for ₹27 crore by the Lucknow Super Giants during the IPL mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2025, he became the most expensive player in Indian Premier League history. However, his performance has been disappointing, with scores of 0, 15, and 2, indicating a lack of form for both the batter and captain. While it is still early in the IPL season, making a definitive judgment may be premature; nonetheless, Pant appears to be grappling with deeper issues. His body language, struggles with batting, and decision-making as a captain suggest a sense of vulnerability. Additionally, the criticism he has faced from LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka following losses to the Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings has not helped his situation.
What seems to be troubling Pant? Piyush Chawla believes that it is not the burden of his hefty price tag that is affecting him, but rather his lack of form that is the main concern. Pant has not performed at his best since last year, with the exception of a century against Bangladesh in his comeback Tests; he has struggled against New Zealand at home and in Australia. Moreover, he is no longer a guaranteed selection in India's T20I and ODI teams. These factors have collectively contributed to his current struggles, according to the leg-spinner.
"Based on my understanding of Rishabh Pant, I don't believe the price tag is the issue. However, he is indeed not in peak form. Having been out of the Indian white-ball setup, and stepping into this tournament as a franchise captain, there were considerable expectations placed upon him. Given the events of last year, it is only natural that high hopes were set for him this season," Chawla remarked on JioHotstar.
How to know if Rishabh Pant is in his best spirits
One significant indicator of Pant's mental condition can be observed through his behavior while keeping wickets. An optimal performance from Pant would involve him being animated, jumping, and engaging in conversation. This is when the assessment shows positive signs. Conversely, when Pant appears subdued, it raises concerns, particularly for LSG in IPL 2025. He has been notably quiet behind the stumps, despite his role as captain. His dismissals—falling to catches in straightforward situations when he had the option to play the ball differently—suggest that his struggles are largely psychological.
"Regrettably, both his team's performance and his individual form have not begun well. His dismissal today was especially disheartening; he faced a delivery that could have been played anywhere but ended up finding the fielder at short fine leg. His subsequent reaction, characterized by a knowing smile, indicated that he recognizes he is in a challenging phase where luck is not on his side," Chawla remarked.
With a significant number of matches still to play, LSG will be eager for Pant to regain his form before it becomes too late. The franchise invested heavily in him after parting ways with KL Rahul, making the stakes quite high. When Pant and Goenka jointly announced his captaincy, they made bold promises. It is now crucial for these promises to materialize if LSG hopes to overcome the disappointment of their 7th-place finish from the previous year and aim for a successful campaign.
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