IPL 2025: Rishabh Pant's batting woes continues, Is Pressure of Captaincy Taking a Toll?

Rishabh Pant once hailed as the fearless face of India’s next-gen cricket, has always been known for his explosive batting and audacious shot-making. A natural entertainer with the bat, Pant’s heroics have often turned matches on their head. From conquering Australia at the Gabba to becoming a fan-favorite in the IPL, his journey has been nothing short of dramatic. However, the 2025 IPL season has cast a shadow over his form. After a long road to recovery post-injury and a change in franchise, Pant now finds himself at a critical juncture, grappling with poor returns and the heavy crown of captaincy.

Pant who is known for his fearless batting, is enduring a rough patch in IPL 2025. The newly-appointed skipper of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) has failed to fire, scoring just 40 runs in six games, raising alarm bells among fans and pundits alike.

Opening Gamble Backfires

Pant’s move to open the innings against Gujarat Titans didn’t pay off. He managed only 21 runs off 18 balls before falling prey to pressure. Despite searching for scoring opportunities, he never looked at ease, continuing his series of underwhelming performances.

Expert Insight: Not the Price Tag, But the Pressure

Former IPL star Piyush Chawla weighed in on Pant’s form, suggesting it's not the hefty price tag but the weight of expectations and captaincy that's affecting the left-hander. "He’s out of form and has been away from white-ball cricket. Leading a franchise adds more pressure, especially after what he went through last year," Piyush Chawla remarked.

Rustiness Showing: Lack of Match Time Hurting

Pant’s last notable appearance was in the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy where he scored 40 and 61. Despite being part of India’s Champions Trophy squad, he didn’t get game time. The lack of competitive cricket now showing in his rhythm.

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What Pant Needs to Bounce Back

To rediscover his form, Pant must remain in the present and not look too far ahead. He should spend some time with LSG coaches on what areas does he need to focus which would help him to find his form back.

The Comeback Arc Awaits

Pant’s talent is unquestionable. What he needs now is rhythm, confidence, and patience. As the tournament goes on, fans hope the comeback kid of Indian cricket finds his mojo for his team Lucknow Super Giants.

After registering a 6-wicket win against Gujarat Titans at their home den, Lucknow Super Giants will next face Chennai Super Kings on April 14.