Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant’s dismal IPL 2025 campaign hit a new low on Sunday as his team suffered a 37-run defeat to Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Dharamsala. The 27-year-old managed just 18 runs off 17 balls, extending his season tally to a mere 128 runs across 11 innings, his worst performance since his 2016 IPL debut.

Acquired for a record Rs 27 crore at the 2024 mega auction, Pant’s strike rate of 99.22 and lone half-century have left fans and analysts baffled.

Former India opener Virender Sehwag has urged Pant to analyse his pre-injury success and reconnect with MS Dhoni, his longtime mentor.

Speaking on Cricbuzz, Sehwag emphasised the mental toll of Pant’s struggles: “He should watch old clips where he dominated bowlers. When routines change, confidence dips. In 2006/07, Rahul Dravid told me to retrace my steps—Pant needs that clarity now.”

Sehwag doubled down on his advice, stressing Dhoni’s role: “He has a phone; why not call his idol? Dhoni can lift his mindset. Talking to seniors helps escape negative thoughts.”

The remark comes amid growing scrutiny over Pant’s leadership and batting approach, especially with the team's fielding and bowling techniques and an inconsistent top order.

LSG’s Playoff Math Gets Murkier

Sunday’s loss, their sixth of the season, has pushed LSG to seventh place on the points table. With just five wins from 11 games and a net run rate of -0.469, their playoff hopes now hinge on winning all three remaining matches and relying on other results.

Their upcoming fixtures—against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (May 9), Gujarat Titans, and Sunrisers Hyderabad—demand not just victories but massive margins to offset their poor NRR.

With LSG’s season on a knife’s edge, Pant faces a career-defining challenge. As pressure mounts, the next week could either resurrect Pant’s legacy or cement this season as his darkest chapter.