By LSG Batting Struggles: What Went Wrong Against PBKS?
The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) endured a major setback in their IPL 2025 campaign after suffering a comprehensive eight-wicket loss to the Punjab Kings (PBKS). The defeat not only cost them valuable points but also exposed deep-rooted issues within their batting unit — particularly the form of star recruit and captain Rishabh Pant. With mounting pressure and growing public scrutiny, LSG must now reevaluate their batting strategy and leadership decisions as they push forward in the tournament.
Rishabh Pant’s Form Under the Microscope
When LSG secured Rishabh Pant for a record-breaking ₹27 crore at the IPL 2025 auction, expectations soared. Pant was seen as the dynamic leader and game-changer who could anchor the middle order and elevate LSG’s chances of a title push. Unfortunately, his performances have fallen well short of those expectations.
In three matches so far, Pant has accumulated just 17 runs, with scores of 0, 15, and 2, sparking serious concerns about his form and match readiness. His dismissal against PBKS — scoring a mere 2 runs off 5 deliveries — only added fuel to the fire.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, speaking on the match broadcast, expressed concern:
“Rishabh Pant wasn’t able to do much. His bat has been quiet. They will have to do something about him getting out early. He has been a big shock for the team.”
The lack of contribution from the skipper has impacted LSG’s confidence, and unless Pant regains his form soon, the team could struggle to gain momentum as the tournament progresses.
When Both Goenka and Rishabh Pant are in Same Team #LSGvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/OGcFvTKH6H
— Dr Artistic Soul (@dr_artisticsoul) April 1, 2025
Social Media Backlash
Meanwhile, Pant’s pre-auction remarks about his preference to join LSG over PBKS have resurfaced, leading to online trolling. Before the season, Pant had mentioned, “I only had one tension, that was Punjab. They had the highest purse.” Following that, PBKS’s social media team posted a cheeky response, implying that any tension ended with the auction.
“Agar mai ye team bech ke Gold mai invest kardu toh?” pic.twitter.com/JAC65AKgjq
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) April 1, 2025
Social Media Trolls and Auction Jibes
Adding to the drama is the backlash on social media. Prior to the season, Pant had made headlines by admitting that his only auction concern was PBKS, stating:
“I only had one tension, that was Punjab. They had the highest purse.”
Following PBKS’s dominant win over LSG, their social media team wasted no time in crafting a cheeky response, implying that Pant’s worries should’ve continued beyond the auction. The playful jab went viral, intensifying public pressure on the LSG captain and raising questions about whether his comments had backfired.
Top-Order Collapse and Batting Woes
LSG’s batting troubles were evident from the very start of the match. After choosing to bat first at home, the team slumped to 35/3 within five overs, losing key wickets early, including Pant’s. The top-order collapse set the tone for an underwhelming innings.
Despite a brief middle-over recovery, LSG managed only 171/7, a total that proved insufficient on a batting-friendly surface. Their powerplay performance, yielding just 39 runs, was far from ideal and allowed PBKS to take early control of the contest.
Without a strong foundation or a set batter anchoring the innings, LSG’s scoring rate never really picked up. The lack of momentum placed extra pressure on the middle and lower order, who couldn’t fully compensate for the early damage.
Pitch Conditions Spark Debate
Post-match discussions also turned toward the playing surface at the Ekana Stadium. LSG mentor Zaheer Khan openly criticized the pitch conditions, implying that the track played slower than expected, making shot-making difficult and contributing to the team’s batting failures.
“The pitch didn’t play as we had anticipated. It was a bit slower, which caught us off-guard,” Zaheer commented.
While pitch behavior can certainly influence the outcome, most analysts agreed that LSG’s batting approach and execution were largely to blame for the defeat.
Time for Introspection and Course Correction
With this loss, LSG now faces an urgent need to revisit their batting strategy, top-order composition, and leadership dynamics. The spotlight remains firmly on Pant — not just as a batsman, but also as the figure expected to inspire a turnaround.
For LSG to get back on track, they’ll need more consistency from their top order, better adaptability to match conditions, and above all, a return to form from their ₹27-crore captain. The road to playoffs is still open, but only if they act swiftly and decisively.
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