Lucknow Super Giants find themselves placed seventh in the current IPL standings after a stop-start run that has yielded just one win from their first two outings. Amid that uneven start, Rishabh Pant—now steering the side after taking over leadership from KL Rahul ahead of the 2025 season—has continued to draw strong confidence from the franchise management. The backdrop is significant too: Pant was acquired for a record-breaking ₹27 crore at the 2025 IPL auction, and despite a quieter campaign so far, the leadership’s faith is rooted in his overall skillset.
Key takeaways
- LSG are seventh in the points table with a record of one win in their opening two matches of the season.
- Rishabh Pant became captain after replacing KL Rahul in 2025 and was bought for ₹27 crore in the league’s 2025 auction.
- Pant has been promoted to bat at No. 3, a role that has surprised many but has suited his game.
- He played a match-winning innings versus Sunrisers Hyderabad, scoring 68 off 50 balls with nine fours.
- Ahead of the IPL game against Kolkata Knight Riders, LSG shared a net-session clip showing playful banter between Pant and pacer Mohammed Shami.
From pressure to No. 3 impact
Pant’s rise at No. 3 has been a talking point. Fans and analysts initially questioned whether a top-order role would allow him enough time to build an innings from the start. However, his adaptability quickly became clear—particularly in the contest against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he delivered a knock that swung the match in LSG’s favour.
In that innings, Pant led from the front with a composed 68 off 50 balls. While his reputation includes an explosive approach and a habit of hunting for sixes regularly, this time he tempered aggression with control. The result was a balanced knock that helped LSG secure their first win of the season, powered by nine boundaries in his innings.
With LSG preparing for their clash tonight against Kolkata Knight Riders, Pant’s form has looked sharp, and the 2025 skipper has shown signs that he can still dominate while adjusting his tempo to the situation.
Net-session banter shows the dressing-room bond
Recently, Lucknow Super Giants posted a video on X from their training session ahead of Thursday’s match. The clip captured a light-hearted exchange between captain Pant and experienced pacer Mohammed Shami, offering a peek into how the senior players keep the environment upbeat while also pushing the skipper to sharpen details.
In the session, Pant appeared to be connecting some shots, but Shami noticed that the bat sounded slightly off. That’s when the pacer decided to tease him—prompting a chain of comebacks that quickly turned entertaining for viewers. Shami then encouraged Pant to strike the ball more cleanly, and the captain responded as if he took the challenge personally.
The Pant–Shami exchanges
- Shami said it “isn’t sounding too well,” and urged Pant to hit the ball more cleanly.
- As Pant’s strokes looked more powerful and better timed, Shami commented that it felt like there should be 8–9 fielders outside.
- After Pant defended the next delivery, Shami joked that it could have been struck properly but went outside.
- Backing his intent, Pant replied that he could swing hard at every ball.
- Shami then praised Pant’s mindset, saying he is their “lion” and can do anything.
The clip underlines how positivity and unity are being cultivated within the Lucknow setup. With the season still unfolding, that kind of team atmosphere—where confidence is reinforced through banter and encouragement—could become a valuable advantage as performances and results become more demanding.
