Once celebrated as India’s fearless match-winner, Rishabh Pant is now battling mounting scrutiny. As IPL 2025 heads into its critical phase, the ₹27 crore acquisition by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) has turned into a pressure cooker for Rishabh Pant, whose underwhelming performances have invited sharp criticism from cricketing greats Ambati Rayudu and Adam Gilchrist.
Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant’s struggles in IPL 2025 persisted on Sunday, as he managed just 18 runs off 17 deliveries against Punjab Kings at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. LSG suffered a 37-run defeat, dealing a significant blow to their playoff hopes.
Rishabh Pant Faces Dual Criticism Over Form and Wicketkeeping in IPL 2025
Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) cricketer Ambati Rayudu, analysing Pant’s recent outing behind the stumps, criticised his wicketkeeping skills, remarking bluntly that Pant “doesn’t have the skills to be a wicketkeeper.” Rayudu also said Rishabh Pant was ‘pretty stubborn’. His comments came after multiple missed chances in the IPL 2025 season.
Former cricketer Adam Gilchrist echoed similar concerns but focused more on Rishabh Pant’s overall performance and demeanour. He observed that Pant’s natural spark and game-changing flair were missing and suggested that the weight of expectations and the ₹27 crore price tag may be diminishing his effectiveness on the field. Rishabh Pant has so far scored just 128 runs in 11 matches this season, averaging 12.80 with a strike rate of under 100—alarming numbers for a player of his calibre.
Rishabh Pant has been central to LSG’s campaign narrative. Hailed as the comeback story of the year after his life-threatening car accident, Pant’s return was meant to inject experience and aggression into LSG’s middle order. Instead, the team finds itself grappling with whether to continue backing him in a dual role or reduce his on-field responsibilities to rebuild his confidence.
Rishabh Pant’s Form Sparks Concerns in LSG’s Camp
Rayudu’s scathing remarks have amplified discussions around Pant’s wicketkeeping lapses, while Gilchrist’s take adds a psychological angle—suggesting that the mental strain of leadership and high expectations may be draining Pant’s energy and instincts. LSG’s coaching staff is reportedly considering a rotation in the wicketkeeping role and reworking Pant’s batting position to relieve pressure ahead of their upcoming fixtures.
“I think more than anything it’s just the clarity of what he wants to do because Pant ideally for me is an opener in white-ball cricket, because in the middle order he has not been great,” Ambati Rayudu said on ESPNcricinfo.
“I know he loves playing in the middle but he doesn’t have the batsmanship that is required or the skill set. Maybe he has the skillset, but not the mindset to execute that,” he pointed out.
LSG vs RCB on May 9: A Crucial Test for Rishabh Pant
LSG will face RCB on May 9, 2025, at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow—a match that could determine the direction of their playoff campaign. LSG now have to win all the 3 matches to give themselves the best chance to qualify for playoffs. LSG have 10 points from 11 matches with a NRR of +0.249 whereas RCB are at top with 16 points in 11 matches and a NRR of +0.482.
RCB so far has been quite invincible in all other 3 departments of the game. The side is no longer entirely dependent on RCB’s star batter Virat Kohli to win them the matches. The way they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against CSK was incredible. A win for RCB over LSG would seal the play-off spot for them and end LSG’s hopes of qualifying for playoffs entirely.