When you are Rishabh Pant, expectations are always high. The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) made history by spending a record ₹27 crore in the IPL mega auction, only to see disappointing returns so far. Pant, known for bringing the excitement of T20 batting into Test cricket with consistency, has strangely struggled to maintain a solid strike rate in T20s. His career T20 strike rate stands at 127, but his start to IPL 2025 has been even worse. However, does that justify television anchors losing their tempers on air? Apparently, yes.
In a shocking incident, a presenter from a well-known Indian sports YouTube channel reacted furiously to Pant’s poor form by damaging studio equipment. During a live broadcast, he threw objects at a TV screen and nearly toppled a glass table in frustration.
Pant’s performances in LSG’s first two matches have left fans scratching their heads. After being dismissed for a six-ball duck in the opening match against his former team, Delhi Capitals, he managed just 15 runs off 15 balls in the second game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. While LSG won the match comfortably, thanks to explosive knocks by Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh, Pant’s struggles on batting-friendly pitches have been alarming. Among all the players who reached double figures in the SRH vs LSG match, Pant had the lowest strike rate. In the 21 balls he has faced in IPL 2025, he has scored only six runs and has yet to hit a boundary.
His troubles extended beyond batting, as his captaincy and wicketkeeping were also criticized after LSG’s shocking loss to DC despite controlling most of the match. Although LSG made a strong comeback by defeating SRH by five wickets, Pant’s form remains a major concern.
Discussing his performance, the SportsTak presenter lost his cool, launching into an angry rant that resulted in damage to the studio.
“IPL is going on. He (Rishabh Pant) had his chance but I’m telling you, he has become predictable. You cannot trust him. What sort of a captain is he? We don’t need a captain like him,” before throwing objects at the TV screen.
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) March 27, 2025
While Pant continued to struggle, Pooran stole the spotlight with a stunning 70 off 26 balls, helping LSG chase down 191 in just 16.1 overs. His explosive innings, which included six fours and six sixes, dismantled SRH’s bowling attack on a flat Hyderabad pitch.
Under Pant’s leadership, LSG had a solid start despite losing Aiden Markram early. A second-wicket partnership between Marsh (52) and Pooran added 116 runs in just seven overs. Pooran was eventually dismissed lbw by Pat Cummins in the ninth over, bringing Pant to the crease with LSG in a dominant position. However, he struggled to get going, scoring a scratchy 15 runs off 15 balls before mistiming a full toss from Harshal Patel, cutting his innings short.
With the tournament still in its early stages, all eyes will be on Pant to see if he can bounce back and live up to the expectations that come with his price tag.
