Rishabh Pant, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman and captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), finds himself under scrutiny following a dismal start to IPL 2025.
After being purchased for a record ₹27 crore, expectations were sky-high for Pant. However, his performances have raised concerns about his position in the team.
Here are three reasons why Rishabh Pant might lose his place after a series of poor performances.
1. Disappointing Batting Form
Pant’s batting has been far from impressive in the initial matches of IPL 2025. In his first outing against Delhi Capitals, he failed to score any runs, getting out for a duck after facing just six balls.
This lack of contribution is particularly alarming given his role as a top-order batsman expected to anchor the innings.
The pressure to perform is immense, especially considering his hefty price tag; fans and analysts alike expect him to deliver match-winning performances.
If Pant continues to struggle with his form, the management may be forced to consider other options who can provide more consistent scoring.
2. Inconsistent Performance History
While Pant has had moments of brilliance in his IPL career, including a standout season in 2018 where he scored 684 runs, his overall performance has been inconsistent.
In the past seasons leading up to 2025, he has fluctuated between being a match-winner and a liability at crucial moments.
For instance, in IPL 2024, he managed to score only 446 runs across 13 matches with an average of 40.55, which is respectable but not enough for someone of his caliber and salary.
His inconsistency raises questions about whether he can be relied upon as a key player for LSG moving forward.
3. Inability to Lead Effectively
As captain, Pant’s leadership skills have also come under scrutiny. In the same match where he failed to score runs, he missed a crucial stumping opportunity that could have altered the game’s outcome, contributing to LSG’s narrow loss against Delhi Capitals by just one wicket.
Such lapses in judgment and execution not only affect team morale but also put additional pressure on him as captain.
If he cannot lead by example and inspire confidence in his teammates through both performance and decision-making, LSG may look for a new leader who can better galvanize the squad.
