Lucknow Super Giants’ hefty investment of Rs 27 crore in Rishabh Pant isn’t yielding the expected returns. The star wicket-keeper batter has struggled to make an impact with the bat in the franchise’s first three matches.
Adding to his woes, Pant’s captaincy has been under scrutiny. Fans on social media have already labeled him a “Rs 27 crore flop,” as LSG continues to face setbacks in the tournament.
Following their latest defeat against Punjab Kings, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka once again had an intense conversation with Pant on the field, reminiscent of past exchanges with KL Rahul.
Goenka’s Pattern of Post-Match Talks
Goenka has a history of confronting his captains after losses. KL Rahul previously faced similar discussions with the owner after disappointing performances.
Pant, too, was seen in a serious exchange with Goenka after LSG’s opening defeat to Delhi Capitals.
Though Lucknow managed to secure a win against Sunrisers Hyderabad, their recent loss to Punjab rekindled scrutiny. Goenka did not hold back, engaging in another pointed discussion with Pant on the ground. The interaction, which included Goenka gesturing with his finger, quickly went viral on social media. However, both were seen smiling at certain moments.
Pant’s Assessment of the Loss
Reflecting on the game, Rishabh Pant acknowledged that LSG fell short with the bat.
“It (the total) wasn’t enough, we were 20-25 runs short, but that’s part and parcel of the game. Still assessing the conditions at our home ground. It’s always going to be difficult to get a big total when you lose early wickets, but each and every player is trying hard to take the game forward. The idea was to get a slow wicket. I think the slower balls were sticking in. We got to learn from this game and move forward. There are a lot of positives, can’t say much,” he said during the post-match presentation.
With the season progressing, all eyes will be on Pant to see if he can turn things around, both as a batter and as a leader.
