The recent Rishabh Pant LSG vs SRH IPL 2025 match brought a moment of deep disappointment for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) fans, especially concerning their captain and star player, Rishabh Pant.
In the crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Monday, Rishabh Pant had another tough day at the office. He was out after scoring just seven runs, which added to a season he would rather forget. This particular dismissal in the Rishabh Pant LSG vs SRH IPL 2025 encounter was significant, not just for his low score, but also for the situation it created for LSG and the visible reaction it sparked from the team owner.
A Crucial Batting Promotion Ends in Disappointment
In a tactical move for the Rishabh Pant LSG vs SRH IPL 2025 match, Rishabh Pant was promoted in the batting order. He came in to bat at the important number three spot, a position often reserved for a team’s best batsman, especially when a strong partnership is needed or the innings needs acceleration. The hope was that this promotion would change his luck and allow him to play a big innings. However, things did not go as planned.
Pant lasted only a short while at the crease before being dismissed by Sri Lankan fast bowler Eshan Malinga. The dismissal happened in the 12th over of the Lucknow Super Giants’ innings. Malinga bowled a full-length ball, right on the middle and off stumps. Rishabh Pant tried to hit the ball early, but he only managed to chip it straight back towards Malinga. The bowler showed excellent reflexes, quickly moving to complete a sharp catch off his own bowling. It was a well-taken wicket that highlighted Pant’s struggle for timing and form in the Rishabh Pant LSG vs SRH IPL 2025 game.
At the time of his dismissal, Lucknow Super Giants were at 124 runs for the loss of two wickets. While the score was decent, losing Pant at that stage, especially after his promotion, was a big blow to LSG’s plans to build a large total. The moment was keenly felt by everyone, from the players to the team management.
Magnificent Malinga! 🪽😮
Athleticism on display from Eshan Malinga as he grabs a stunner to send back Rishabh Pant! 👌#LSG 133/2 after 13 overs.
Updates ▶ https://t.co/GNnZh90u7T#TATAIPL | #LSGvSRH | @SunRisers pic.twitter.com/5rSouA8Kw0
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 19, 2025
LSG Owner’s Reaction: A Sign of Frustration
The frustration over Rishabh Pant’s continued struggles and his dismissal in such a crucial match was clear to see. As Pant walked back to the dressing room, the owner of Lucknow Super Giants was seen turning his back towards the field. This was a very public sign of disappointment and a clear indicator of how much was riding on Pant’s performance, not just in this Rishabh Pant LSG vs SRH IPL 2025 match, but throughout the entire season. Such reactions from team owners are rare and usually happen when expectations are very high, and the results are not meeting them. It underlined the pressure Pant is under and the team’s desperate need for wins.
Rishabh Pant’s Difficult IPL 2025 Season
Rishabh Pant’s IPL 2025 season has been very challenging, especially considering how much Lucknow Super Giants invested in him. Last year, LSG acquired him for a massive INR 27 crore in the mega auction, making him the most expensive player in IPL history. This huge price tag came with equally huge expectations.
However, the Delhi-born cricketer has unfortunately not been able to live up to that price tag this season. In 12 matches so far, including the Rishabh Pant LSG vs SRH IPL 2025 encounter, he has scored a total of just 135 runs. More concerning is his strike rate, which stands at only 100. A strike rate of 100 means he is scoring just one run for every ball he faces, which is very slow for a T20 format, especially for a batsman of Pant’s caliber and reputation.
His only good performance with the bat this season came against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Lucknow, where he scored 63 runs from 49 balls. While that was a half-century, it stands out as his only significant score. Fans and team management would have hoped for more consistent and impactful performances from their captain, particularly in high-pressure games like the Rishabh Pant LSG vs SRH IPL 2025 match. His form has been a major talking point and a concern for the team.
LSG’s Must-Win Situation for Playoffs
The Rishabh Pant LSG vs SRH IPL 2025 match was not just another game for Lucknow Super Giants; it was a must-win situation. For LSG to keep their hopes alive for reaching the IPL 2025 playoffs, they absolutely needed to win this match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Before this game, Rishabh Pant’s side was in seventh place on the IPL points table, having secured just 10 points from their 11 matches played. This meant they were in a tough spot, needing wins to climb up into the top four, which guarantees a playoff spot. A loss in this specific Rishabh Pant LSG vs SRH IPL 2025 game on Monday would mean the end of Lucknow Super Giants’ chances of qualifying for the knockout stage of the tournament. The pressure was immense for every player, including Pant, to perform.
Interestingly, Sunrisers Hyderabad, their opponent in this match, had already been eliminated from the IPL 2025 playoffs race. This meant SRH was playing mainly for pride and to potentially give opportunities to younger or less experienced players. This dynamic added another layer to the Rishabh Pant LSG vs SRH IPL 2025 clash, as LSG was fighting for survival while SRH had no playoff pressure.
Apart from Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC) were also competing hard for that crucial fourth and final playoff spot. Gujarat Titans (GT), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and Punjab Kings (PBKS) had already secured their places in the playoffs before this game, making the race for the remaining spot even more intense. Rishabh Pant’s form and his team’s performance in matches like this one were under severe scrutiny as the season reached its critical phase. His dismissal in the Rishabh Pant LSG vs SRH IPL 2025 game therefore carried significant weight for the team’s playoff aspirations.
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