Suresh Raina has blamed Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant for the franchise’s failure in the Indian Premier League 2025. In the latest game against Punjab Kings, he made an 18-run contribution in a chase of 237 runs. The visiting team fell short by 37 runs and has now dropped down to seventh position in the points table.

They have won 5 out of 11 matches so far and are now in danger of missing the playoff berth. Pant, who was signed for INR 27 crore, has hit just one fifty so far, with an overall total of 128 runs at an average of 12.80 and a strike rate of 99.22.

The southpaw has been ordinary as a captain and wicket-keeper in the last few games of the 18th season. “Rishahh Pant will have to change his thinking. He is the kind of batter who can hit five sixes in ten balls. However, he will have to spend time in the middle and look to play in the V. Pant was angry in the game against Punjab, and that also played a part in his dismissal,” Raina said.

“He has different kinds of skills, and don’t forget that he has scored six Test hundreds. His batting is behind the failures of the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2025, and he will have to improve his performance as the no. 4 position is very important in the batting order,” he added.

Rishab Pant Should Talk to Himself: Pragyan Ojha

Pragyan Ojha wants Pant to talk to himself to find a solution to his below-par performances. “He should talk to himself as he is losing as a captain as well. When the tournament started, Pant was cool and calm, but now the anger has taken over, and he is not making the right decisions. He is not the kind of player who likes to show a lot of emotions on the field,” Pragyan Ojha said.