Punjab Kings (PBKS) have started their IPL 2025 campaign in style, securing back-to-back wins and climbing to the second spot on the points table. Their latest triumph came against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in an emphatic away victory. However, it wasn’t just their on-field performance making headlines—PBKS also took a cheeky dig at LSG skipper Rishabh Pant on social media.
Following their eight-wicket win, PBKS posted a playful message on X (formerly Twitter), referencing Pant’s past comments about the franchise during the IPL 2024 mega auction. At the time, Pant admitted he was nervous that PBKS—who had the largest purse of ₹110.5 crore—might outbid LSG for him. However, he was relieved when PBKS instead splurged ₹26.75 crore to sign Shreyas Iyer.
“Internally, I had only one tension, that was Punjab (Kings),” Rishabh Pant had joked in an interview with Star Sports earlier this year. “When Shreyas went to Punjab at the start, I felt I could make it to LSG.”
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In the end, LSG broke records by securing Pant for ₹27 crore, making him the most expensive signing in IPL history. However, his tenure as captain hasn’t started as planned. With just one win in three games, LSG is already feeling the pressure. Pant’s form has also been concerning, scoring just 17 runs in three innings, including a duck. Against PBKS, he managed only 2 runs before falling to Glenn Maxwell.
𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 toh auction mein hi khatam ho gayi thi! 😉 pic.twitter.com/TnWcg5MxdM
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 1, 2025
Seizing the opportunity, PBKS posted on X: “Tension toh auction mein hi khatam ho gayi thi! (Our worries ended at the auction itself)” alongside a clip of Iyer, adding to the banter.
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To make matters worse, after the game, Pant was seen in a tense discussion with LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka, sparking speculation about his leadership. LSG, now sixth on the table, will aim for redemption when they face five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians next.
