Lucknow Super Giants skipper Rishabh Pant found himself at the center of online backlash after a disappointing performance against his former team, Delhi Capitals, in IPL 2025. Pant was dismissed for a two-ball duck and faced heavy trolling on social media, with fans accusing him of “hiding” in the batting order.
Pant’s Unusual Batting Position Raises Questions
In a surprising move, Pant came out to bat at No. 7, a position he hadn’t batted at in a T20 match since IPL 2016. With just 106 runs in nine innings this season at an average of 13.25, fans questioned his decision to bat behind uncapped players like Abdul Samad and Ayush Badoni during the Tuesday match at the Ekana Stadium.
Dismissed on a Risky Shot
Pant’s dismissal came on the final ball of the innings. He attempted a switch hit against Delhi pacer Mukesh Kumar but missed the shot entirely, with the ball deflecting off his pad and crashing into the stumps. This added to his poor run of form and triggered a wave of criticism from fans, with some even joking that he should “return ₹27 crore.”
Dugout Image Hints at Injury
While social media lashed out, a photo from the dugout suggested Pant might have been dealing with a hand injury. His right hand was seen heavily taped, possibly explaining his decision to push himself down the order. The tape was also visible during the toss, indicating a pre-existing issue.
Mukesh Kumar Shines for Delhi Capitals
Delhi’s pacers dominated the match, with Mukesh Kumar leading the way. He picked up 4 wickets for 33 runs in his four overs. Supported by Mitchell Starc and Dushmantha Chameera, Delhi restricted LSG to their lowest total of the season—just 159 after a promising start by openers Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram, who shared an 87-run stand.
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