Enough excuses: Rishabh Pant told to snatch control of LSG from Zaheer Khan, Justin Langer
Published - 23 Apr 2025, 04:53 PM | Updated - 23 Apr 2025, 04:54 PM
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Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has slammed Rishabh Pant's decisions as captain after Lucknow Super Giants suffered an eight-wicket loss to Delhi Capitals in the 40th IPL 2025 clash on April 22 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
Rishabh Pant shocked everyone by walking out to bat only in the final over despite being one of the Lucknow Super Giants’ key batters, and they were already struggling. The out-of-form Pant didn’t come in after Nicholas Pooran got out in the 12th over.
Ambati Rayudu blasts Rishabh Pant for late entry against DC and heated LSG dugout drama
Abdul Samad, Ayush Badoni, and David Miller were sent ahead of the Indian wicketkeeper-batter, and by the time Pant finally arrived at No. 7, it was too late, as he could face only two balls and got out for a duck by the Delhi Capitals pacer Mukesh Kumar in the IPL 2025.
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Rayudu feels Pant should have led from the front and taken charge when the team needed him most. LSG had a strong start with an 87-run opening stand between Mitchell Marsh (52) and Aiden Markram (45), but things fell apart later.
The decision to hold Pant back left Ambati and many others confused and disappointed, especially after LSG could post only 159/6 on the board against DC. Rishabh Pant’s body language during the LSG versus DC match became a major talking point, with cameras capturing the skipper visibly frustrated in the dugout.
You don’t want any dirty laundry to be washed outside: Ambati Rayudu
Things got even more heated after his dismissal, as he was seen involved in a heated exchange with team mentor Zaheer Khan, sparking buzz about tension within the camp. The moment has added fuel to the fire, especially after LSG’s dramatic batting collapse.
Ambati was not impressed with what cameras captured and opined that such things should have been done behind the walls. He noted that such scenes are not good for the team.
Ambati Rayudu was quoted as saying by Inside Sports, “I feel Pant really needs to take the onus on himself. He really needs to take the decisions on his own. Sometimes these visuals are not really good if you are a good team. Because you want everything to be closed doors. You want everything to be said indoors. And also, you don’t want any dirty laundry to be washed outside.”
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Ambati Rayudu wants Rishabh Pant to be LSG's real captain in the IPL 2025
The former Indian batter feels it’s time for Pant to act as captain and take all the decisions if LSG wants to turn things around in the ongoing IPL 2025. The cricket expert feels the LSG skipper has to lead with clarity, confidence, and control both on the field and off it.
Rayudu added, “Pant really needs to take control of the decisions that are being made at LSG. He needs to come up the order. He cannot give any more excuses. He is the captain, and it is a captain’s sport. We all acknowledge that. Going forward, LSG needs to make a few changes: maybe get Mayank Yadav in. Also, Pant has to bat slightly higher. You are visibly quite tense about the whole situation.”
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