‘You can’t take out the individual every time’: Rishabh Pant defends himself after poor run of form

Rishabh Pant's scores this season have read 0, 15, 2, 2, 21, 63, 3, 0 and 4 – 110 runs at an average of just over 12 and a strike rate just under 100.

Rishabh Pant defended his run of poor scores after the MI vs LSG match. (BCCI)

When Rishabh Pant was brought in by the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League auction for 27 crore rupees, the expectations of a stellar season were lumped onto the wicket-keeper batsman, expectations that have not transpired on the pitch. Pant’s poor IPL performances continued after a short four-run stay at the Wankhede against the Mumbai Indians.

Rather than the number of runs scored, it was the way that the Delhi batsman got out that raised eyebrows. An unsuccessful reverse sweep against Will Jacks after his first ball went to the boundary, would be Pant’s undoing. Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, who was on commentary, seemed to not understand the choice of shot that Pant went with.

“I just can’t get my head around this. Premeditation from Rishabh Pant, the second ball that he has faced. It’s such a hard shot. He hit the first ball for four. That is not Rishabh Pant at his best to get his innings going,” Watson said on air.

Story continues below this ad

Later, after the match, Pant was asked about his form. His scores this season have read 0, 15, 2, 2, 21, 63, 3, 0 and 4 – 110 runs at an average of just over 12 and a strike rate just under 100. Pant’s run is the poorest among all Indian captains in a season in the league thus far. Pant defended himself and said, “Keeping it simple and not thinking about it too much. In a season like this, where things are not going your way, you’re going to start questioning yourself as a player – that’s not something you want to do. When the team is doing well, you’ve got to think about that,” Pant said after the match ended to the broadcaster.

“Eventually, it’s a team game. Yes, one player makes the difference, but every time if you take out the individual, it’s not the right thing to do, I guess,” he added.

Get latest updates on IPL 2025 from IPL Points Table to Teams, Schedule, Most Runs and Most Wickets along with live cricket score updates for all matches. Also get Sports news and more cricket updates.