Rishabh Pant Struggling in IPL 2025? LSG’s Shahbaz Ahmed Backs His Skipper to Fire in Crucial Moments
Even though Rishabh Pant's performance with the bat in this season’s IPL has been underwhelming so far, his teammates—especially Lucknow Super Giants' all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed—aren’t losing sleep over it. According to Shahbaz, the vibe in the camp is still calm, and there’s complete faith that the flamboyant wicketkeeper-batsman will shine when it matters the most.
And why not? After all, Indian cricket fans have seen Pant bounce back many times before.
Let’s Look at the Numbers First...
Rishabh Pant, who made headlines this season by becoming the costliest player in IPL history at a jaw-dropping ₹27 crore, has failed to live up to the price tag—at least so far. His stats tell the story: just 19 runs in four innings with scores of 0, 15, 2, 2. That translates into a concerning average of 4.75 and an equally shocking strike-rate of 59.37.
But numbers don’t always show the full picture.
Shahbaz insists, “He’s chilled, relaxed, and still smiling. We all know what he’s capable of. He’s grinding it out in the nets. When the pressure cooker moments arrive—he’ll come through.”
Why LSG Still Trusts Pant
Here’s what’s refreshing: even with their high-value captain going through a lean patch, the Lucknow Super Giants camp isn’t panicking. There’s confidence, and more importantly, there’s patience.
🟢 Team morale is intact
🟢 Pant's work ethic remains top-notch
🟢 The dressing room atmosphere is relaxed
Shahbaz added, “Sometimes, form takes time to arrive. But once it clicks, you’ll see him win us those tight games.”
Spotlight on Eden Gardens Pitch: Will it Help Spinners?
The LSG squad now gears up to face the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, a venue that’s been under scrutiny for its pitch behavior. KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane and coach Chandrakant Pandit were reportedly unhappy after their earlier loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, blaming the pitch for not supporting spinners enough.
But Shahbaz, who knows this turf well thanks to his domestic cricket stint with Bengal, shared some nuanced insights.
🟠 “In domestic matches, it usually assists pacers – especially in red-ball games.”
🟠 “But this time, the pitch seems a bit slower. It may not turn a lot, but it can still offer something for the spinners.”
🟠 “And yes, being a smaller ground than Lucknow, there are runs available too if you bat smartly.”
So, while Eden Gardens might not turn into a spinning graveyard, it might still play into the hands of quality tweakers.
Pitch Preparation: A KKR Strategy?
Interestingly, Shahbaz isn’t shocked that Eden’s pitch seems curated to suit KKR’s strength—their spin attack, led by Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy.
“These kinds of pitches have been regular here for 2-3 years now. It plays into KKR's hands because both Narine and Varun are game-changers. This isn't like Ranji Trophy pitches that help pacers. This one’s more spin-friendly, built with their strategy in mind.”
So, while the spin debate rages on, both teams will have to adapt quickly—because Eden can be a tricky customer.
Injury Woes for LSG, but Light at the End of the Tunnel
Lucknow Super Giants haven't had a smooth ride this season when it comes to their bowling unit. A significant portion of their attack has been sidelined due to injuries, with Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Akash Deep, and Avesh Khan all spending time off the field.
But there’s good news.
Shahbaz gave fans something to cheer about: “The start was tough. We were worried. But now things are falling in place.”
Here’s a quick update:
✅ Akash Deep and Avesh Khan are fit and available again
🟡 Mayank Yadav is recovering well and might return soon
🟢 Shardul Thakur and Prince Yadav have stepped up beautifully in the absence of the seniors
With the pace unit slowly coming back to full strength, LSG will hope to turn things around in the bowling department soon.
The Curious Case of Digvijay Rathi: From Hero to Controversy
Young pacer Digvijay Rathi has been one of the standout performers for LSG this season. He even bagged the Player of the Match award against Mumbai Indians for his superb spell of 1/21, which completely stifled MI’s momentum.
But the celebration that followed? Well, that’s sparked a bit of drama.
After taking a key wicket, Rathi pulled out an animated 'notebook signing' celebration that didn't go down too well with the match officials. As a result:
🚫 He was fined post-MI game for that celebration
🚫 He’s already on three demerit points (just one away from a suspension!)
To add to it, Rathi had earlier been fined for physical contact with PBKS batter Priyansh Arya.
When asked about the situation, Shahbaz explained, “Look, Rathi and Priyansh are good friends. That moment was misunderstood on TV. It wasn’t aggressive in the way it looked. But yeah, I hope he stays cautious. He’s young, and it’s his debut season—these things happen.”
So, What Lies Ahead?
With the next big clash set at Eden Gardens vs KKR, LSG has a lot on their plate:
➡️ Their skipper is out of form but working hard
➡️ The bowling unit is finally coming back together
➡️ Youngsters are stepping up—but learning the hard way
If Pant can click, and the bowlers stay fit, LSG’s season might just swing upwards. Because at the end of the day, IPL is less about early dominance and more about peaking at the right time.
And as Shahbaz Ahmed rightly put it—"When clutch time comes, Pant will be there."
Final Thoughts
Cricket fans love a comeback story, and if Rishabh Pant does roar back into form this season, it’ll be one for the books. For now, LSG fans can take solace in one thing—the team still believes.
And sometimes, belief is the strongest weapon a team can have in their arsenal.
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