Former India Cricketer Kris Srikkant wants Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to rest skipper Rishabh Pant for the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) games after the team was knocked out of the IPL Playoff race by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). In the season where LSG was struggling for injuries to their key players, Pant failed to step up as the main batter of the side after being bought by the franchise for a jaw-dropping amount of INR 27 Crores.
The wicketkeeper-batter had an inauspicious start in his debut game for LSG as he was out for a duck against his former team, Delhi Capitals (DC). The southpaw has crossed two digits only twice in 11 innings that he has batted. The 27-year-old's scores this season read: 0, 15, 2, 2, 21, 63, 3, 0, 4, 18 and 7. The LSG skipper has failed to show any form and consistency as the tournament has progressed. Some say the huge price tag has put undue pressure on Pant.
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Speaking in his YouTube Channel, Srikkant said that time has come for Rishabh Pant to spend some time away from the game, with his franchise already out of IPL 2025 event.
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“Unfortunately, things are not going Rishabh Pant’s way,” Srikkanth said. “Even when captaining… be it bowling changes or field placements, he seems to be messing up in some form or the other. Things are not going his way. Even with the bat, he can just play freely and be bold, but he seems to be playing half-hearted shots with no clarity. Every game he is finding new ways to get dismissed. During my playing days, I use to invent ways to get dismissed, and Pant is doing worse than me. 30 years back, I was like that today, he is finding new ways to get out — reverse-sweep, reverse-paddle, swinging wildly — all of it is happening,” said the former chairman of selectors.
Leave Rishabh Pant alone: Kris Srikkant
Srikkant further stated that Pant should not be bothered about his dismal returns as he should be given a break. The former India captain also said that LSG needs to strengthen their bowling attack in next IPL 2026 season.
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“I just want him to be left alone…they should say enough, just go and spend some time away. The season is over. Whatever they are planning for the next season — they have to change the core and bring in bowlers — they don’t have any bowlers in this team,” Srikkanth said.
