05 May, 2025 | 02:16 PM

Rishabh Pant’s prolonged slump in IPL 2025 continues to draw concern, with former India batter Ambati Rayudu weighing in on what’s gone wrong for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain. Rayudu believes Pant’s struggles stem from his refusal to adapt his batting position, arguing that the left-hander lacks the mindset to succeed in the middle order and would be better utilised as an opener.

Pant, the costliest player at the last IPL auction at INR 27 crore, has managed just 128 runs in 10 innings this season, with only one fifty to his name and five single-digit scores, including a duck. He currently ranks 176th on ESPNcricinfo’s MVP list, which measures overall player impact. On Sunday, his 17-ball 18 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a failed 237-run chase underscored his poor form, as LSG slumped to a 37-run defeat, their sixth loss in 11 games.

Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out, Rayudu criticized Pant’s inflexibility:

“I think he’s being pretty stubborn about how he wants to go about things. It’s not working in his favour at the moment. He needs to accept the fact that he’s struggling, and start doing things a little differently. That’s the only way to get better.”

Rayudu added that while Pant may have the skills to bat in the middle order, he lacks the mental approach to execute effectively in that role:

“Pant ideally for me is an opener in white-ball cricket. In the middle order, he has not been great. Maybe he has the skill set, but not the mindset.”

While Pant has moved up and down the order during the season — appearing at No. 4, 6, 7, and even opening once — he has consistently returned to the No. 4 slot. In Sunday’s outing, he showed initial promise with a six over mid-off and two boundaries off Yuzvendra Chahal, but fell to an ill-timed slog off Azmatullah Omarzai, flinging his bat in the process and ballooning a catch to deep cover.

Former New Zealand cricketer Katey Martin noted a pattern in Pant’s dismissals:

“Just out of nowhere, he plays a shot that feels more reckless than expected. That’s been his downfall — mental lapses at key moments.”

Rayudu echoed the sentiment, saying Pant “lacks confidence” and doesn’t appear mentally settled at the crease.

Ponting-Iyer Chemistry Paying Off at PBKS

In contrast, PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer — another marquee signing at over INR 25 crore — has impressed more as a leader than a batter. His team currently sits second on the table, and Rayudu believes the strong rapport between Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting, forged during their time at Delhi Capitals, has been instrumental.

“You need to know your coach as a captain. Shreyas likes Ricky a lot and he is someone who’s aggressive in strategy. It’s a good match that’s working well for Punjab right now.”

Martin added that Iyer’s leadership style aligns better with Ponting’s vision compared to Pant’s when he was at DC:

“Ponting spoke about building a team around the captain. With Shreyas scoring runs and leading confidently, that chemistry is showing on the field.”

She also suggested that Pant’s dual role as captain and wicketkeeper could be adding pressure, especially without a strong on-field leadership partner nearby when stationed behind the stumps.

“When you’re a keeper-captain, you rely on others like Pooran to help. But when he’s on the boundary, that becomes challenging.”

As the league stage nears its conclusion, Pant faces mounting pressure to rediscover form, or risk watching LSG's playoff hopes slip away.