‘Wannabe MS Dhoni’ Rishabh Pant’s captaincy cost LSG match vs DC? Ambati Rayudu drops bold verdict

Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has backed Rishabh Pant amid criticism related to his captaincy after the loss against Delhi Capitals. He said that his captaincy didn't cost Lucknow Super Giants as it was the poor execution by bowlers that cost them.

Rishabh Pant didn't have a great start to his captaincy stint with the Lucknow Super Giants, as the team lost against Delhi Capitals in their opening encounter of the IPL 2025. The Lucknow-based franchise went on to lose the game from a winning position with the opposition winning the game by just one wicket.

Delhi Capitals defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 1 wicket

Lucknow Super Giants, who didn't have big names in their bowling, couldn't capitalize on the start that they had while defending a target of 210 runs. The Rishabh Pant-led side restricted Delhi Capitals to 65/5 and it was almost certain that they would end up winning the game with ease.

But after that, Lucknow Super Giants couldn't carry on the momentum as Ashutosh Sharma (65*) played an unbelievable innings to take his team home. Tristan Stubbs (34) and Vipraj Nigam (39) also played vital hands as Delhi completed a magnificent win in the last over.

He was trying to maybe do what MS Dhoni used to do on wickets like that - Ambati Rayudu on Rishabh Pant

With Rishabh Pant facing criticism over his poor captaincy, Ambati Rayudu has come out in support of the Lucknow Super Giants captain. He pointed out that the keeper-batter was trying to follow the method of MS Dhoni of using spinners in the end. He also added that it was the bowlers who let the team down. Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, he said:

"He was trying to maybe do what MS Dhoni used to do on wickets like that, bowling spinners in the end. And his spinners actually let him down to be very honest. I don't think it's the captaincy. It's the bowling execution that has let him and LSG down."

Batsmanship quality needs to be improved in his game - Ambati Rayudu on Rishabh Pant's batting

Rishabh Pant also failed to get going with the bat. The keeper-batter, who is the most expensive player in the IPL, bagged a six-ball duck.

Ambati Rayudu didn't go easy on Lucknow Super Giants skipper, saying that the keeper-batter should look to build the innings and his batsmanship quality needs to be improved. While talking about the same, he said:

"We have talked about his (Pant) shot selection against spin. He is going for that six option rather than playing a four to build an innings or play gaps. So that batsmanship quality needs to be improved in his game, especially in the middle overs if he wants to bat in the middle overs."

"It all started from there. Once your captain gets out and Badoni, whose strike rate against spin is not great, it's not a great batting lineup against slow bowling that LSG have."

Also read: Mohammed Siraj ready for Virat Kohli challenge, reminds him of India nets before RCB faceoff