Piyush Chawla talks about the pressure on Rishabh Pant due to his ‘Price Tag’

Rishabh Pant is facing one of the most challenging phases of his cricketing career. Bought for a record-breaking ₹27 crore by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the wicketkeeper-batsman was expected to lead the franchise with his dynamic batting and aggressive captaincy. However, three games into the tournament, Pant has failed to deliver with the bat, scoring just 0, 15, and 2 in his first three innings.

While it’s still early days in the IPL season, Pant’s struggles go beyond just a few bad scores. The flamboyant left-hander, who once lit up the IPL with his fearless stroke play, looks subdued. His body language on the field, coupled with his lack of usual enthusiasm behind the stumps, has raised concerns about his form and mindset.

A Heavy Price Tag or Form Slump? Piyush Chawla Weighs In

Former India and IPL veteran Piyush Chawla believes that Pant’s struggles are not linked to his hefty price tag but rather his prolonged dip in form.

“Knowing Rishabh Pant, I don’t think it’s the price tag that’s affecting him. However, he is currently not in the best of form. He has been out of India’s white-ball squads, and coming into this tournament as a captain, the expectations were sky-high. A lot happened last year, and naturally, a lot was expected from him this season,” Chawla said while analyzing the match on JioHotstar.

Pant’s troubles began well before the IPL. Despite a promising Test century against Bangladesh last year, he struggled in India’s home series against New Zealand and during the Australia tour. His omission from India’s T20I and ODI squads further dented his confidence.

Signs of Pant’s Struggles on the Field

One of the most noticeable indicators of Pant’s struggles has been his demeanor behind the stumps. Known for his constant chirping, aggressive energy, and tactical inputs, Pant has been unusually quiet in the IPL 2025 matches so far.

An in-form Rishabh Pant would be seen hopping around, chattering away, and lifting the morale of his bowlers. However, in the current scenario, his silence speaks volumes about his mental state.

Moreover, his dismissals have been uncharacteristic of his natural game. Instead of dominating the bowlers, Pant has fallen to soft dismissals—either getting caught at inopportune positions or mistiming his shots. His latest dismissal, where he flicked a simple catch to short fine leg, summed up his woes.

LSG Management Concerned? Sanjiv Goenka’s Intervention

LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka has reportedly been unhappy with the team’s performances, particularly after their losses to Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings. According to reports, Pant has been pulled up twice by Goenka in team meetings, adding more pressure on the struggling captain.

With LSG having invested heavily in him—especially after letting go of KL Rahul—the franchise expected Pant to be their long-term leader. However, if his form doesn’t improve soon, questions about his ability to lead the side may start surfacing.

What Lies Ahead for Pant and LSG?

Despite the poor start, Pant still has time to turn things around. IPL is a long tournament, and several players in the past have bounced back after slow starts. With crucial matches coming up, LSG would desperately hope their marquee player regains his touch.

LSG’s batting unit has also struggled, adding more pressure on Pant to anchor the innings. His ability to counter-attack and play aggressive shots is what made him a match-winner in previous seasons. If he can rediscover that fearless approach, it might just be the turning point for both him and his team.

As IPL 2025 progresses, all eyes will be on Rishabh Pant to see whether he can rise above the criticism and justify his record-breaking price tag. For now, the ₹27 crore investment remains under scrutiny.

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