Rishabh Pant : There was a time when Rishabh Pant’s name evoked excitement, energy, and that signature cheeky grin. But in IPL 2025, all that remains is a shadow of the vibrant cricketer fans once cheered for. After 11 games, with only 128 runs off 129 balls, Pant’s season has been nothing short of a nightmare—and his outing in Dharamshala might have been the lowest point yet.
Against Punjab Kings, fans didn’t just see a struggling batter; they saw a frustrated leader unraveling—scolding teammates, losing his bat mid-shot, and trudging off muttering to himself. Here’s how one of the most gifted batters in Indian cricket endured a bizarre and forgettable night.
Rishabh Pant’s Horror Knock in Dharamshala: Frustration, Bat Slip, and a Scolding Captains’ Tale
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A Season of Decline for the 27-Crore Man
Pant’s return to the IPL was supposed to be a celebration—the comeback story of the year after surviving a near-fatal car accident. But with each passing game, the fairytale has turned into a grim slog.
- Matches played: 11
- Runs scored: 128
- Strike rate: 99.22
- Batting average: 12.80
- Half-centuries: 1 (in a losing cause)
Rishabh Pant Horror Knock in Dharamshala: Frustration, Bat Slip, and a Scolding Captains’ Tale
The expectations were sky-high, especially after Lucknow Super Giants picked him up for INR 27 crore in the mega auction and handed him the captaincy. But Pant hasn’t just underperformed—he’s statistically among the worst players of the season, ranked 177th in the MVP list by ESPNcricinfo before the Punjab game.
Rishabh Pant’s Horror Knock in Dharamshala: Frustration, Bat Slip, and a Scolding Captains’ Tale
The Dharamshala Debacle: From Confusion to Chaos
Walking out at 16/2 in just the 3rd over, chasing a mammoth 237, Pant was expected to lead a counter-attack. What unfolded, though, was pure chaos:
- Failed ramp shots
- Missed chances to punish short balls
- Scolding Ayush Badoni for not attempting non-existent singles
- Trying to sneak a leg-side wide for a run
- And finally—the bat slip
In one of the strangest dismissals of the tournament, Pant charged down the track to Azmatullah Omarzai, tried to muscle the ball over covers, but mistimed the shot. His bat flew toward square leg, and the ball found Shashank Singh at sweeper cover. A simple catch, a bizarre moment, and a silent walk back to the dugout.
Rishabh Pant’s Horror Knock in Dharamshala: Frustration, Bat Slip, and a Scolding Captains’ Tale
Former Aussie skipper Aaron Finch, who was on commentary, summed it up perfectly:
“One of the most bizarre dismissals I have ever seen.”
More Than Just Form—It’s the Frustration
Rishabh Pant’s Horror Knock in Dharamshala: Frustration, Bat Slip, and a Scolding Captains’ Tale
What made the knock even harder to watch was Pant’s visible frustration. His usual swagger replaced by scowls, hurried singles, and animated exchanges with teammates. The carefree Pant who once reverse-swept James Anderson and danced down to Lyon was now arguing with Badoni and desperately trying to force shots where there were none.
It’s a painful image—one that doesn’t sit right with fans who have grown up watching Pant entertain with fearless flair.
Rishabh Pant’s Horror Knock in Dharamshala: Frustration, Bat Slip, and a Scolding Captains’ Tale
Lucknow’s Season in Shambles Too
Pant’s form is just a reflection of LSG’s wider woes. Their bowling was taken apart by Prabhsimran Singh’s 91, and despite a decent spell from Akash Singh, others like Mayank Yadav conceded 57 in 4 overs. With the loss, Lucknow’s playoff hopes are hanging by a thread, and Pant’s own role as a leader is under scrutiny.
What’s Next for Rishabh Pant?
Rishabh Pant’s Horror Knock in Dharamshala: Frustration, Bat Slip, and a Scolding Captains’ Tale
There’s still time for redemption, but it’s quickly running out. The bat-slip in Dharamshala wasn’t just a technical failure—it symbolized everything that’s gone wrong for Pant in 2025: the pressure, the expectation, the lack of rhythm, and perhaps, the weight of trying too hard.
Rishabh Pant’s Horror Knock in Dharamshala: Frustration, Bat Slip, and a Scolding Captains’ Tale
For Pant to regain his form, he might need to step back from the pressure, focus on enjoying his cricket again, and reconnect with the instincts that made him one of India’s brightest stars.
When the Smile Returns, So Will Pant
For fans, this isn’t the end of the road for Rishabh Pant—it’s just the storm before the sunrise. But for now, the frustration, the slipped bat, and the silent walks back to the pavilion tell the story of a cricketer stuck in his own head.
And until that cheeky grin returns, every run will feel like a burden—not just to Pant, but to those who believe in him.
FAQs
He scored 18 runs off 17 balls.
His bat slipped out of his hand mid-shot while trying to loft the ball, leading to a simple catch.
Read more : Rishabh Pant Misses Laureus Comeback of the Year Award 2025, Rebeca Andrade Takes the Honour
