Rishabh Pant struggles with form post record INR 27 crore IPL 2025 auction

Rishabh Pant, who made history at the IPL 2025 auction by becoming the costliest player ever with a staggering INR 27 crore deal with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has struggled to find form this season.

As the captain of LSG, his initial performances in the league have been underwhelming, recording scores of 0, 15, and 2 in his first three outings, much to the chagrin of the franchise and fans alike.

LSG, under Pant's leadership, has managed to win just one of their first three matches, raising concerns over the team's performance. Notably, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh expressed his concerns about Pant's current form.

"Rishabh Pant hasn't been able to contribute significantly. His bat has been silent. The team needs to address this issue as his early dismissals have been a big setback for LSG," Harbhajan commented on his YouTube channel.

In their recent match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Lucknow, after PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer opted to bowl first, LSG managed to put up a competitive score of 171 for 7, with Nicholas Pooran top-scoring with 44 off 30 deliveries.

However, PBKS chased down the target with relative ease, courtesy of Prabhsimran Singh's explosive 69 off 34 and Iyer's steady knock of 52 not out off 30. Nehal Wadhera's unbeaten 43 off 25 balls further solidified PBKS's commanding performance, securing their second consecutive victory of the season.

Reflecting on the match, Harbhajan pointed out, "LSG found themselves in a challenging position after losing the toss. Despite a commendable knock from Pooran, the team couldn't sustain the momentum once he fell to Yuzvendra Chahal.

Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad added crucial runs towards the end, but it wasn't enough to defend against Punjab's powerful batting lineup."

He further praised Punjab's performance, stating, "Winning in Lucknow against a team like LSG demonstrates the excellent cricket Punjab is playing.

They are evolving into a cohesive and formidable unit, showing the capability to contend for the title. Under Ricky Ponting's guidance, they are becoming a force to be reckoned with."

As LSG grapples with its early-season challenges, the spotlight remains on Pant to rediscover his form and lead his team to success in the coming matches.