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In an unexpected move that left fans bewildered, Rishabh Pant came up with an unorthodox strategy during Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) face-off against Delhi Capitals in Match 40 of IPL 2025. Despite being the team’s skipper and a senior batter, Pant chose to slide himself down the batting order—a decision that backfired both on the field and online.
The LSG captain, who is also struggling with poor form this season, opted to let Abdul Samad, Ayush Badoni, and the big-hitting David Miller bat ahead of him. Normally expected to bat at number four, Pant walked out at number seven—a decision that sent fans and cricket experts into a frenzy of speculation and trolling.
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Rishabh Pant’s Season So Far: A Nightmare in Numbers
Pant’s demotion came amidst a horror season with the bat. The swashbuckling left-hander has accumulated just 106 runs in 7 innings, with a disappointing average of 15.14 and a strike rate below 100 (98.14). Apart from a lone 63-run knock against Chennai Super Kings on April 14, the LSG captain has failed to make a mark with the bat.
Given this backdrop, many fans saw Pant’s decision to bat lower down the order not as a tactical masterstroke but as a sign of lack of confidence—or worse, an attempt to avoid pressure.
Fans Troll Pant For “Hiding” Behind Teammates
The move didn’t go unnoticed by netizens, who wasted no time in roasting Pant for what they called “cowardly” behavior. Social media platforms were flooded with memes and sarcastic digs as Pant walked in only after five wickets had fallen, coming out to bat in the final over of the innings.
Here’s what some fans had to say:
Some even drew comparisons to MS Dhoni, who has also chosen to bat lower down the order this season for CSK—but with far more impact.
Pant’s Knock: A Two-Ball Disaster
When Pant finally entered the crease, it was already the 20th over. His stay didn’t last long either, as Delhi Capitals pacer Mukesh Kumar dismissed him for a two-ball duck. LSG managed to post 159/6 in their 20 overs, with Pant contributing nothing but more criticism to his already underwhelming season.
Leadership Questioned
With another failure added to his resume and questionable leadership choices, pressure is mounting on Pant—not just as a batter, but also as a captain. His batting demotion, while possibly intended to allow others to express themselves, was viewed by many as a leader not willing to lead from the front.
