Rishabh pant’s woeful Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign continued as he was dismissed for just 18 runs off 17 balls against the Punjab Kings. Facing Azmatullah Omarzai in the 9th over, Pant’s bizarre dismissal left everyone stunned at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.

Rishabh Pant’s strange dismissal sums up his IPL 2025 season of struggles

The Lucknow Super Giants‘ skipper Pant’s outing against PBKS turned into a moment of unintended comedy and concern. Coming in with LSG in trouble, Pant looked to change the momentum but misjudged a slower ball from Omarzai. Dancing down the track, he aimed to lift it over the covers but failed to connect properly and astonishingly lost grip of his bat, which sailed to square leg while the ball landed safely in the hands of Shashank Singh at sweeper cover. It was LSG’s fourth wicket and another frustrating exit for Pant, who walked back visibly dejected, muttering in disbelief. The scene reflected his ongoing struggle in IPL 2025, where he has managed just 128 runs at a dismal average of 12.80 and a strike rate of 99.22. His only half-century came in a losing effort against CSK. Owner Sanjiv Goenka was seen looking disappointed after the dismissal.

Big-money gamble by Lucknow Super Giants’ owner fails

When LSG  shelled out INR 27 crore for Pant in the mega auction, expectations were sky-high. But so far, the investment has yielded little return, with Pant managing only one fifty and showing no signs of his past match-winning prowess. The current season has seen him struggle for timing, confidence, and clarity, with his shot selection often under question. His poor strike rate underlines a lack of fluency, especially in a format that rewards boldness and quick scoring. The latest dismissal not only exposed a technical lapse but also the mental fatigue plaguing Pant. With just a few games left, the pressure is immense, on him to redeem his season, and on the management to justify the massive price tag. Pant’s legacy in IPL 2025 is now hanging in the balance, unless he stages a remarkable turnaround in the final stretch.

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