Rishabh Pant vs Zaheer Khan! Harbhajan Singh exposes details of tension in LSG camp

Legendary Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has speculated on the tension between his former teammate and mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Zaheer Khan, and captain Rishabh Pant after his dismal performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their IPL 2025 clash on Thursday, March 27.

The cricket pundit believes that Zaheer Khan and Rishabh Pant are not on the same page when it comes to the Lucknow Super Giants skipper’s batting position. Harbhajan claimed that the LSG mentor wanted Pant to open for the team against the SRH, but the skipper was firm on taking his suitable position. Despite this, Pant could manage only 15 runs off 15 balls against the SRH.

Rishabh Pant’s stubbornness backfires during SRH vs LSG IPL 2025 clash

The left-handed batter also faced a lot of backlash on social media for his poor innings on the batting-friendly pitch of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, where Nicholas Pooran blasted 70 runs off just 26 balls while Mitchell Marsh made 52 runs off 31 balls in their IPL 2025 match.

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Additionally, Abdul Samad played a quickfire cameo of 22* runs off just 8 balls, studded with two boundaries and as many sixes to help LSG beat SRH by five wickets to earn two points in the ongoing season. But Pant, who is the most expensive player in IPL history with an INR 27 crore price tag, failed to live up to the expectations, and his stubbornness was one of the reasons.

Harbhajan Singh hints at tension between Zaheer Khan and Rishabh Pant

As the Lucknow captain failed to impress both as a batter and captain, Harbhajan Singh has pointed out that Zaheer Khan wanted Pant to open for LSG, but the latter was adamant about taking his usual middle-order position, and he paid the price for his inflexibility.

The former Indian spinner felt it was really surprising that Pant went against the mentor and team management’s call only to produce a flop display. The commentator also felt the Indian wicketkeeper-batter must play at the top of the order since the best players of the team should not bat lower than 4-5.

Harbhajan Singh feels Rishabh Pant should play at the top

Harbhajan Singh said on Star Sports’ Cricket Live show: “Zaheer Khan wanted him to open the game, but Pant wants to play in the middle order. But Zaheer Khan wanted him to open the game, because if he opens the game, then your best player will play more.

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Whether it’s Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, or Aiden Markram, if you are considering them to be their best players, then they shouldn't bat below 4 or 5. So I think Pant should play on top. So, it’s surprising that Pant went against Zaheer. It is absolutely surprising.”

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Notably, the Lucknow team will next face Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 on April 1 at home. On the other hand, Pant was benched during India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 triumph in Dubai. Even, he didn’t get a game during the ODI series against England at home.