Former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has opined on Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant’s struggles with the bat in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, claiming Pant’s shot selection and mental approach as the main reasons behind his struggle as well. Pant’s poor form with the bat has effected LSG’s form in the tournament too as well.

“The problem with Rishabh Pant is his shot selection. You can’t hit your way out of trouble every time,” JioStar expert Sidhu said during a panel discussion. “Maybe it’s the pressure of his own reputation that’s weighing him down and not allowing him to relax. It shows-his frustration is visible. As captain, he often loses his cool, and that gives the opposition an edge.”

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Drawing comparisons with the legendary MS Dhoni, Sidhu said, “Look at Dhoni-calm, composed, giving nothing away. Pant needs to tune his mindset, especially around shot selection. He needs to go back to the basics.”

However, Rishabh Pant, who was bought for a record Rs 27 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction last November, making him the most expensive player in the history of the league as well. With a team featuring Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, and David Miller, the expectations were high for Pant’s captaincy and a personal performance with the bat as well.

LSG currently sit placed seventh on the points table. Even if they win all their rest of the games, their poor net run the lowest in the league- could show them out of playoff contention.

“Even if LSG win all their remaining matches, their poor net run rate will hurt their chances,” Sidhu concluded.