Rishabh Pant’s much-hyped signing by the Lucknow Super Giants ahead of IPL 2025 turned into a costly misfire, both on the field and within the franchise’s inner circles. The wicketkeeper-batter’s underwhelming returns, combined with a disappointing team campaign and rumblings of behind-the-scenes tension, have left LSG with more questions than answers after a season that began with immense promise.
Pant, signed for a staggering ₹27 crore, was expected to be the linchpin of Lucknow’s batting lineup and a dynamic leader. Instead, his season was marked by inconsistency and lack of impact. Across 12 matches, he managed only 135 runs—most of which came in low-pressure situations or matches where the outcome was already slipping away. His strike rate hovered around a pedestrian 100, a far cry from the explosive reputation he carried into the league.
Lucknow, who built a squad around Pant’s return, ended the league phase outside the playoff bracket, finishing with just six wins in 14 games. It wasn’t just Pant’s form that faltered—the team often looked disjointed and unsure, particularly in tight situations. Misreading of conditions, poor middle-order stability, and bowling inconsistency made it a season to forget.
Pant’s leadership, too, came under scrutiny. One controversial decision saw him promote himself ahead of an in-form Nicholas Pooran, only to fall for a golden duck. The move was widely criticized and cited as an example of ego outweighing strategy. Rumors swirled about disagreements between Pant and senior management figures over tactical calls, especially regarding bowling rotations and team balance.
Off the field, the tension wasn’t hidden. LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka was seen leaving the ground early on more than one occasion following Pant’s failures, sparking fan speculation over internal dissatisfaction. While there was no public fallout, cryptic social media activity and changes in team protocol only added to the perception that all was not well within the camp.
Pant himself pointed to key injuries—such as those to pacers Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan—as reasons for the team’s struggles. However, critics argue that poor squad depth and misfiring senior players were more central to their downfall. The overreliance on a few marquee names made the team vulnerable once form dipped.
Among the rare positives was the emergence of spinner Digvesh Rathi, whose consistent performances and vibrant energy made him a fan favorite. Yet, even his rise couldn’t offset the collective failure that defined Lucknow’s season.
The backlash from fans has been sharp. Pant’s purchase, now viewed as one of the league’s costliest miscalculations, has drawn memes, criticism, and debate. Questions loom about whether LSG will retain him at the same value or look to restructure before the next auction.
As Lucknow enters a pivotal offseason, the franchise must confront the gap between investment and outcome. Whether Pant can redeem his value remains to be seen—but for now, the dream signing has turned into a cautionary tale.