The 2025 IPL season was supposed to be Rishabh Pant’s grand return — a comeback narrative laced with inspiration, hunger, and redemption.
Instead, it turned into a cautionary tale of missteps, misfires, and missed opportunities, not just for the man himself but for a Lucknow Super Giants franchise that placed nearly ₹50 crore worth of faith in two men — Pant and Nicholas Pooran — to take them deep into the playoffs.
In the end, Lucknow crashed out unceremoniously. Their final blow came at the hands of a rampaging Sunrisers Hyderabad, who chased down 205 with six wickets in hand, riding on the brilliance of Abhishek Sharma and the finishing coolness of Klaasen and Kamindu Mendis.
But long before SRH delivered the final nail, LSG’s problems were already bleeding through the cracks.
Pant’s Positionless Plight
At the heart of Lucknow’s chaos stood Rishabh Pant. In his first full season after the harrowing car accident in late 2022, Pant was entrusted not just with the captaincy but also a marquee ₹27 crore contract — a move that raised eyebrows and expectations in equal measure.
The numbers are brutal: 151 runs in 13 matches at an average of 13.73 and a strike rate of 100. These aren’t just poor stats; they’re alarming for a player whose USP was once fearless, instinctive aggression. His promotion to No. 3 in the must-win clash against SRH was meant to reignite his rhythm.
But his stay was short and scratchy — just 7 runs, ended by a sharp one-handed return catch from Eshan Malinga. That dismissal triggered more than just scoreboard pressure; it triggered visible dismay in the owner’s box, where Sanjiv Goenka was seen storming out of his seat.
Pant’s lack of form might still have been salvaged had he at least found clarity in role and position. But the LSG think-tank seemed equally confused. From batting at No. 7 against Delhi Capitals — his lowest position since debut — to being thrust to No. 3 against Hyderabad, Pant was a captain without a batting home.
Pooran’s Rise and Fall
On paper, Nicholas Pooran gave LSG enough firepower to dream big. Acquired for ₹21 crore, the West Indian began the tournament in destructive form — 30 sixes in the first few matches, scoring at a strike rate close to 200. But when LSG needed him most, his bat fell silent.
Scores of 11 (vs RR), 9 (vs DC), and 6 (vs PBKS) derailed momentum just as the playoff push began.
A late flourish against SRH — a 26-ball 45 — only highlighted what might have been had Pooran stayed consistent. To his credit, he took accountability for the mid-season dip, but the burden of form couldn’t be shouldered alone, especially when the team’s key Indian players — Pant, Badoni, Hooda — all failed to rise.
Injuries and A Toothless Bowling Attack
LSG’s woes weren’t limited to batting and management. The bowling unit was decimated by injuries. Mayank Yadav’s express pace was available only in flashes, while Mohsin Khan’s prolonged absence and Avesh Khan’s inconsistency exposed the lack of depth.
Without genuine wicket-taking threats, Lucknow found it tough to defend even strong totals like the 205 against SRH.
LSG still have a game to play against Royal Chellnegers Bengaluru (RCB) on Tuesday at Ekana Stadium. Out od 13 matches played so far, they have won 6 but have lost 7 and will look to end their season on high.
