Pant flops again with another single-digit score, LSG owner Goenka walks out

Rishabh Pant’s struggles with the bat showed no signs of abating as the Lucknow Super Giants captain endured yet another failure in the IPL 2025 season.

During LSG’s crucial fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday, Pant was dismissed for a mere seven runs off six deliveries, falling victim to a brilliantly disguised slower yorker from young pacer Eshan Malinga.

Attempting to work the delivery, Pant only succeeded in mistiming it. The ball looped tamely into the air, and Malinga, displaying exceptional athleticism in his follow-through, dived to his left and completed a sharp low catch. The dismissal left LSG reeling at 124 for two just when they had been cruising.

Magnificent Malinga! 🪽😮

Athleticism on display from Eshan Malinga as he grabs a stunner to send back Rishabh Pant! 👌#LSG 133/2 after 13 overs.

Updates ▶ https://t.co/GNnZh90u7T#TATAIPL | #LSGvSRH | @SunRisers pic.twitter.com/5rSouA8Kw0

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 19, 2025

Sanjiv Goenka left the balcony out of anger after seeing 27 crores Rishabh Pant failing in back to back 12th game!! pic.twitter.com/MpOLClJ5rP

— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) May 19, 2025

In the aftermath, television cameras caught franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka leaving his seat in the stands almost immediately, an image that swiftly went viral and underscored the mounting disappointment surrounding Pant’s form.

Pant, who was acquired by LSG for a staggering Rs 27 crore in last year’s mega auction, has failed to live up to expectations. So far, the left-handed batter has amassed only 135 runs from 13 matches at a paltry average of 12.27, making him the weakest link in the team’s otherwise power-packed batting unit.

Earlier in the match, LSG had won the toss and elected to bat. Their openers, Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram, came out firing, compiling a ferocious 115-run stand in just 10.3 overs. Marsh was particularly dominant, smashing 65 off 39 balls before falling to debutant Harsh Dubey.

Sensing an opportunity to cash in on the explosive start, Pant promoted himself to the No. 3 position. However, his attempt to find form under pressure backfired yet again. With the stage perfectly set for him to anchor the innings and accelerate, Pant’s inability to deliver was glaring.

The timing of his dismissal could not have been worse for LSG, who are in a must-win situation to stay alive in the playoff race. With the openers laying a solid foundation, Pant’s failure added pressure on the middle order.

As the captain trudged back to the pavilion, it was left to Nicholas Pooran to revive LSG’s innings and push the total toward respectability. For Pant, however, the dismissal deepens an already frustrating season and raises further questions about his role and impact in LSG’s campaign.

This article first appeared on Mid Day