In a surprising turn of events during the IPL 2025 clash between Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, Rishabh Pant walked out to bat in the final over, sparking a flurry of reactions across social media. The Lucknow skipper’s delayed appearance raised eyebrows, especially given the platform laid by the openers.
Lucknow’s innings had begun on a promising note, with Mitchell Marsh (45) and Aiden Markram (52) stitching together a powerful 87-run opening stand. Their stroke-filled partnership put Delhi under pressure early on and gave LSG the perfect springboard to post a big total. However, things took a strange turn with the batting order.
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With Nicholas Pooran coming in at No. 3, expectations were that captain Pant would follow. Instead, Abdul Samad was promoted, a move that quickly backfired. Despite that, Pant continued to remain padded up as David Miller and Ayush Badoni followed next. It wasn’t until the final over, with only two deliveries left, that the skipper finally walked out to bat.
Pant’s short stay at the crease added to the confusion. He missed the first ball while charging down the track and was bowled on the next, trying an audacious reverse scoop that went horribly wrong. It marked the first time in 113 IPL innings that Pant batted at No. 7 or lower — a position he hadn’t occupied since his debut season in 2016.
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He walked back with a two-ball duck, continuing his underwhelming run with the bat this season. Lucknow eventually posted 159 runs, thanks in part to a steady knock of 36* from Ayush Badoni. But Pant’s tactics — particularly his late entry — became a hot topic online. Fans on Twitter didn’t hold back, mocking his decision and even comparing it to MS Dhoni’s calculated late finishes, albeit without the success.
We all owe Grandhi ji an apology for trolling him on releasing Rishabh Pant.
This man is a visionary. pic.twitter.com/XzYXXW5DyX
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) April 22, 2025
Pant is now ready to take Thala’s spot when he retires at CSK.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) April 22, 2025
If hiding behind tailenders is an art, then Rishabh Pant is picasso of it 😂 pic.twitter.com/w58LcvnDl5
— Honest Dhoni Fan💛💛 (@WhistlePoduCsk7) April 22, 2025
Rishabh Pant getting ready to keep wickets for 20 overs after playing two dot balls and getting out on the second one #LSGvsDC pic.twitter.com/kKrq0BPMnn
— Shayarcaster (@shayarcaster) April 22, 2025
Rishabh Pant Pushing lower order batsmans before himself pic.twitter.com/bH3o8lB3Lh
— Davide (@Bruxismgums) April 22, 2025
Sanju Samson might fail in consecutive matches but he will never hide himself in the batting order like Rishabh Pant. The biggest disrespect for Sanju Samson has been getting compared to mediocre batter called Rishabh Pant.
— Anurag™ (@Samsoncentral) April 22, 2025
Goenka waiting for Rishabh Pant in the dugout #LSGvDC pic.twitter.com/2LPCmIHnoz
— Sajcasm (@sajcasm_) April 22, 2025
Lsg bringing Rishabh Pant to bat 😭.#LSGvsDC #DCVSLSG pic.twitter.com/ZEl0Zkjvdi
— Ashish (@Ashishh_____) April 22, 2025
Rishabh Pant hided himself for 19.4 overs just to score 2 balls 🦆 pic.twitter.com/0ShQT2ApZS
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) April 22, 2025
