Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) suffered a comprehensive defeat by 54 runs at the hands of Mumbai Indians (MI) at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. In the run chase, there was a clear overdependency on LSG. Skipper Rishabh Pant came to bat at no.4 position but he could not get going and fell for a single-digit score to off-spinner Will Jacks. Pant, who has a solitary fifty in the season is facing criticism. But, LSG mentor Zaheer Khan believes the tag of most expensive player in IPL history has not affected him. He lauded him for his decisions as captain and backed him to perform with bat in the upcoming matches.
“I wouldn't relate it to anything like that (Rs 27 crore tag). He is a leader and he has been fantastic as a leader, that's something which I can vouch for,” Zaheer said in the post-match press conference on April 27.
“The kind of efforts he has been taking to make sure that each and every individual in that group is comfortable, is heard (out) and the planning to everything which goes around in IPL has been spot on.
“As a leader, he is ticking all the boxes. As a batter, the middle-order is dependent on Rishabh and I am very confident that the impact which we want from him will come. It's just about something clicking."
In the match against Delhi Capitals (DC) he batted at no.7 and registered a two-ball duck. Zaheer says that Pant has a positive personality and it is important that they focus on the rest of the IPL matches.
“I wouldn't relate it to pressure. You have seen that he is the kind of personality… what happened in the last game is something which is gone by and what's going to happen, he is a very optimistic and a positive personality so from our side, it's just about continuing with that,” he said.
Zaheer banking on one innings to turn it around
The former India left-arm pacer that the pressure is going to be high on LSG as they fight for the playoffs spot. He feels that a players needs just one inning to come back to form.
“When you're talking about a team, you're talking about winning the tournament. We've identified Rishabh as that leader who is going to take this team forward so there is no doubt about that,” Zaheer said.
“There are going to be people who are going to hit form. There are going to be people who are going to be short on form, that's the way game goes.
“We know that in the back-end of the tournament now, the pressure is going to be high, so that's the focus and it's about finding that one innings, that is something for anyone, I always say."
Pant's IPL 2025 numbers and LSG's position on points table
Pant is seventh on the list of LSG's leading wicket-takers. He has scored 110 runs from 10 innings at an average of 12.22. His strike rate is 98.21. His half-century against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) went in vain as well.
LSG are placed sixth on the points table with five wins and as many losses from 10 games. Their net run rate (NRR) is now negative as well. LSG will have time to regroup as their next match is against Punjab Kings at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on May 4.