Rishabh Pant’s IPL 2025 campaign has been nothing short of a disappointment, and former cricketer Aakash Chopra believes it’s time the explosive wicketkeeper-batter seriously rethinks his T20 strategy. After returning to full fitness, expectations were sky-high for Pant — not just as a player but also as Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) captain.
However, those expectations quickly turned into frustration as he managed only 135 runs across 12 innings, failing to provide the spark he’s known for. LSG, who shelled out a whopping ₹27 crore for his services, have now crashed out of the playoff race following a defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Aakash Chopra, speaking to JioHotstar, didn’t hold back. “Failures often teach you more than success. This IPL was a massive opportunity for Pant — to stamp his authority, to become indispensable in India’s T20 plans. But it didn’t go that way. He now needs to seriously consider whether this current approach fits T20 cricket.”
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Chopra further added, “When you’re out of form, every innings feels heavier than the last. This season has been a nightmare for Pant — but the good news is that nightmares eventually end. He just needs to wake up and adapt.”
Echoing Chopra’s sentiments, former fast bowler Varun Aaron pointed out Pant’s lack of intent and rhythm.
“He looked out of sorts. That edge — the natural flair — just wasn’t there. Earlier, Pant would send balls flying into the stands. This time, he’s mistiming simple shots.” Aaron also noted a significant dip in Pant’s shot-making range. “He’s not scoring behind square — bowlers have shut down that area. He needs to find ways around that.”
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With LSG left to play Gujarat Titans on May 22 and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 27, all eyes will be on Pant to see if he can end the season on a high and remind everyone of his match-winning potential.
