Rishabh Pant’s struggles in IPL 2025 are becoming a growing concern, and former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh believes it’s time the Lucknow Super Giants take urgent steps to address their skipper’s form. Signed for a record-breaking ₹27 crore — the highest-ever price in IPL history — Pant was expected to be LSG’s game-changer this season. However, his returns so far have been disappointing: scores of 0, 15, and 2 in his first three innings.
Harbhajan Singh, speaking on his YouTube channel following LSG’s crushing eight-wicket defeat to Punjab Kings, didn’t mince words. “Pant hasn’t made any impact so far. His form is a serious issue for LSG. If they want to think about playoffs, they’ll need him firing soon,” he said.
The Lucknow franchise had a decent start in their first two IPL seasons, reaching the playoffs, but stumbled to seventh place last year. With the kind of investment made in Pant, both financially and strategically, his lack of form is becoming a major stumbling block.
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Pant, who was an integral part of India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign last year, hasn’t carried that momentum into the IPL. Although named in India’s Champions Trophy squad, he remained benched throughout the tournament, with KL Rahul preferred behind the stumps. Back in the IPL, his return to action began with a two-ball duck against his former side, Delhi Capitals, and it hasn’t gotten better since.
Against Punjab Kings, LSG were under pressure early, losing three wickets inside the powerplay. Pant arrived at the crease with the score at 32/3, but lasted just five balls before Glenn Maxwell dismissed him. Nicholas Pooran and Ayush Badoni steadied the ship, and Abdul Samad’s quickfire 27 lifted LSG to 171/7.
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But PBKS chased down the target with ease. Prabhsimran Singh’s blistering 69 off 34 balls and Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten fifty sealed the win with 22 balls to spare. LSG now face Mumbai Indians in their next clash and will hope their skipper finds his rhythm before it’s too late.
