New Delhi: Rishabh Pant is an absolute whirlwind when it comes to batting—possibly the wildest India has ever seen. He’s the kind of player who seizes every chance to take on bowlers, always aiming for victory, and his bold shot selections can leave you stunned.

We've witnessed Pant get out to what some might call a 'foolish' shot (as Gavaskar recently pointed out in Australia) on numerous occasions, but we’ve overlooked it because he’s Pant—a player capable of turning games around when he’s in form. His style has always been a risky gamble, but that risk is part of what makes his success so thrilling.

However, IPL 2025 has shown a different side of Pant. He seems to have toned down the madness. He appears more conventional and, frankly, that’s not as exciting. In 8 matches this season with the Lucknow Super Giants, the left-handed batsman has managed just 106 runs at an average of 15.14 (barely better than Rohit Sharma) and a strike rate of 98.14. Given his hefty auction price of ₹27 crore, making him the priciest player in IPL history, these stats are far from acceptable.

What’s puzzling is that Pant has the ability to score at a high strike rate with ease—his strike rates in previous years were impressive: 165.61 in 2017, 173.60 in 2018, 162.66 in 2019, 151.79 in 2022, and 155.40 in 2024. So why is he opting for this sluggish pace? This season, the 27-year-old has only surpassed a strike rate of 120 once. It’s both astonishing and concerning.

Pant has always favored hitting balls on the leg side. He’s fierce against anything pitched on his legs but tends to be more cautious with deliveries outside the off-stump. This approach might work in Test cricket since bowlers have to cater to his strengths. However, in white-ball formats, it can become a drawback.

Bowlers have consistently targeted Pant by pitching the ball well outside the off-stump. The LSG captain is patient, waiting for the right opportunity, but in a time when scores over 200 are becoming the norm, letting balls go by feels like a missed chance.

Ishan Kishan faces a similar issue. While it’s crucial for both players to improve their off-side batting in the long run, they need to find immediate solutions. For Pant, trying upper cuts could be beneficial, but the real challenge for bowlers might come from how he moves around the crease.

Anything that falls into Pant’s hitting zone can travel far. He’s always had power on his side. However, if bowlers are targeting him, he might need to take the initiative and adjust his position. While moving around the crease isn’t for everyone, it could throw off the bowlers in this situation.

If Pant can get them to bowl straighter, it will activate his quick reflexes. Even if it doesn’t work out perfectly, the results are unlikely to be worse than what he’s currently experiencing.

Here's the deal: fans flock to the stadium to see Pant play because he brings the excitement, which has made him known as a game-changer. But right now, he seems a bit rattled—maybe the reputation of LSG owner Sanjeev Goenka is weighing on him. The pressure looks like it's getting to him, but he can't let it continue like this.

On the bright side for Pant, he can't really sink any lower. Plus, LSG is sitting fourth in the standings, giving him some room to try new things and unleash his wild side.

There's still plenty of the season left, and Pant has ample opportunity to turn things around. To do that, he needs to play freely. He’s naturally good at separating himself from the outcome, and to find his rhythm again, he’ll have to tap into his creativity and cleverness.

His signature shots are still there, and so is Pant. But T20 can be brutal, and the higher you rise, the harder the fall. Yet, isn’t that what makes it all the more exciting?

Read Also: Virat Kohli Glares Fiercely at Nehal Wadhera After Crucial Run-Out, Strikes Iconic Send-Off Pose in PBKS vs RCB

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!