Rishabh Pant, the prominent wicketkeeper-batter representing India, currently finds himself in a challenging position during the IPL 2025 season. Known for being the most expensive player in the tournament's history with a staggering price tag of Rs 27 crore, Pant has struggled to deliver impactful performances, accumulating only 128 runs across ten innings. This lack of form is evident in his record, which includes five scores of single digits, one duck, and just one half-century.
In a recent encounter against the Punjab Kings, Pant was brought to the crease at the crucial No. 4 spot after his team experienced two early dismissals. Unfortunately, he managed to contribute only 18 runs from 17 balls as LSG pursued an imposing target of 237. The match concluded with Lucknow Super Giants suffering a defeat by 37 runs, placing them seventh in the points table, having secured just five victories in their eleven games.
Former Australian cricketer Aaron Finch has comments suggesting that Pant should consider relinquishing the wicketkeeping responsibilities to Nicholas Pooran. Finch highlights the dual pressures faced by a player who is both the captain and wicketkeeper. The intricacies of strategic discussions between overs are constrained by time, which can impede a captain's ability to adapt plans on-the-fly. This situation is exacerbated for Pant, who has exhibited signs of frustration during matches when outcomes do not align with expectations.
Finch articulates that transferring the wicketkeeping duties to Pooran could relieve some of the burdens on Pant, allowing him to focus more on his batting performance and team strategy. He supports the notion that by delegating this responsibility, Pant could potentially find the rhythm and clarity needed to perform better.
The IPL 2025 season has proven to be the most disappointing for Pant since he made his debut in 2016. In his inaugural season, he accumulated 198 runs in ten matches with a modest average of 24.75, featuring just one half-century. This year has been particularly glaring for Pant, with his average dwindling to 12.80, accompanying a strike rate that has fallen below 100 for the first time in his IPL career. Over his 122 matches in the league, he has scored 3,412 runs that include 19 half-centuries and a solitary century, with an average of 33.13.
In addition to Finch's analysis, former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has expressed that Pant should consider reaching out to MS Dhoni, a figure he respects and idolizes, in hopes of regaining his form. Sehwag emphasizes the advantage of leveraging the knowledge and experience of seasoned players. He suggests that Pant could benefit from a conversation with Dhoni, which may provide not just tactical advice, but also a motivational boost during this challenging phase.
Sehwag also proposes that watching footage of his earlier performances in the IPL, where Pant exhibited his striking ability, could reignite his confidence. Players sometimes stray from established routines amidst challenges, and Sehwag recalls his own experiences during lean patches where he was advised to reflect on successful habits from the past. This kind of introspection could be just what Pant needs to rediscover the technique and mindset that had previously fostered his success.
As the season progresses, the focus remains on whether Rishabh Pant can adapt and overcome his current challenges. The collective insights from experts like Finch and Sehwag highlight a potential path forward, suggesting that a mix of strategy modification and psychological adjustments could play crucial roles in his performance revival. The cricketing fraternity and fans alike are hopeful that Pant can navigate through this turbulent phase and return to the dominant form that both he and the Lucknow Super Giants desperately require.