Ambati Rayudu criticizes Rishabh Pant for sticking to his batting position despite repeated failures, labels him as stubborn

Rishabh Pant, the captain of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has had a lacklustre and patchy IPL 2025. Despite being the most costly purchase at INR 27 crore, Pant has failed to live up to the high expectations placed on him as a leader and a batter. Ambati Rayudu, a former cricket player for India, blasted the southpaw’s strategy and batting posture following LSG’s recent 37-run loss to Punjab Kings.

In ten innings, Rishabh Pant has only amassed 128 runs, including one half-century and six single-figure scores.

Despite LSG’s early tournament success, nothing was known about their captain’s play. His effectiveness has been questioned by many, though, as the team’s campaign is currently losing ground.

The Haridwar-born player had the chance to lead the innings against Punjab, who were chasing 237, but he was dismissed early after scoring 18 runs off of 17 deliveries. He tried a big shot off Azmatullah Omarzai after smashing a six and two boundaries, but he lost control of his bat and ended up making a routine catch. Rayudu drew attention to Pant’s batting position and his resistance to altering it.

Since he hasn’t been altering his hitting order or strategy, I believe that right now I feel a great deal of sympathy for him. He’s being somewhat obstinate about how he wants to handle things, in my opinion. At the moment, it’s not working in his favour,” Rayudu stated on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out.

“To be really honest, it occurs in this sport, and he is currently going through a really tough time. Anyone can experience it. My only wish is that he learns from this, gets better, doesn’t get any more obstinate, just realises that he is having trouble, starts doing things a bit differently, and makes an effort to do better every day. You can only do that,” he added.

Perhaps he possesses the abilities but lacks the attitude: Ambati Rayudu

Notably, Pant has moved his batting position several times this season, first at No. 7 and then back to his favourite No. 4, where he has struggled steadily. The former Indian batsman also questioned Pant’s mentality, arguing that the southpaw now lacks the attitude he formerly possessed to bat in the middle order.

“I believe that more than anything, it’s just the clarity of his goals because, in my opinion, Pant would be most suited as an opener in white-ball cricket since he hasn’t performed well in the middle order. Although he enjoys playing in the middle, he lacks the necessary skill set and batsmanship. Perhaps he possesses the necessary abilities, but lacks the mentality to carry them out,” he continued.

LSG has to win all three of their remaining games to have a chance at postseason qualifying, as they have only 10 points from 11 games and a dismal net run rate of -0.469. Even yet, their pursuit will depend on significant victories and good outcomes in other games.