Lucknow: ₹27 crore. 12 matches. 135 runs.
That’s the harsh scoreboard summary for Rishabh Pant, who once again failed to fire with the bat—this time in a must-win game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were handed a six-wicket defeat at home on Monday, officially ending their hopes of reaching the IPL 2025 playoffs.
For fans, this isn’t just a bad game—it’s a bitter repeat. After last season’s underwhelming finish, LSG’s hopes rested on Pant’s comeback as captain. But the results? Even more disappointing.
Pant’s return to the IPL post-injury came with headlines, a hefty price tag, and leadership responsibility. But the stats paint a grim picture. Just 135 runs in 12 games, with an average of 12.27 and a strike rate of 100. For context, those are lower numbers than many tailenders.
While the team started decently, things crumbled quickly. Under Pant’s captaincy, LSG lost 7 out of 12 matches, including their last 4 in a row. And just like that, another season ends in disappointment.
Even the franchise’s owner, Sanjiv Goenka, known for his no-nonsense approach, acknowledged the slump but urged the squad to “finish strong.” A sharp contrast to last year, where he publicly lashed out at KL Rahul for underperformance.
A Game That Started Bright—And Ended in a Familiar Crash
In Monday’s match, LSG were put in to bat and got off to a flying start. Mitchell Marsh (65) and Aiden Markram (61) put up a 115-run stand. Nicholas Pooran added a fiery 45 off 26. But after that? A collapse.
Pant? Out for 7 off 6 balls—caught and bowled by Eshan Malinga, who also finished with 2/28 and a stunning reflex catch.
LSG posted a decent 205/7, but with momentum lost, it never felt enough.
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Abhishek Sharma Steals the Show
SRH, already knocked out of the playoffs before the IPL pause due to the India-Pakistan military tensions, played like they had nothing to lose. Abhishek Sharma smashed 59 off 20, setting the tone. Support from Klaasen (47), Kishan (35) and Mendis (32) made sure they chased the target with nearly 2 overs to spare.
This marks two seasons in a row without playoff action for LSG. Last year they finished 7th. This time, they might do worse. They have two matches left—against Gujarat Titans on Thursday and Royal Challengers Bengaluru next week.
At this point, it’s no longer about trophies. It’s about saving face.
Rishabh Pant’s 2025 IPL run was hyped as a comeback story. But instead, it turned into a cautionary tale. Talent without timing, hype without heart.
Lucknow paid big. The fans dreamed big. But the season? Fell flat.
And unless Pant finds his spark soon, the ₹27 crore tag will only get heavier.
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