Lucknow Super Giants’ Rollercoaster Season: Zaheer Khan’s Take on Rishabh Pant and the Team’s Journey
When you look at the Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) 2025 IPL campaign, it’s clear the season was a mix of highs and lows — and no one knows that better than their mentor, Zaheer Khan. The former Indian pace legend didn’t hold back in praising skipper Rishabh Pant, who, despite a bumpy ride this year, showed why he’s still one of the game’s brightest stars.
Rishabh Pant: The Undoubted Talent Facing a Tough Learning Curve
Rishabh Pant’s journey this season was quite the rollercoaster. Picked up for a staggering Rs 27 crore at the mega auction, the expectations were sky-high. Unfortunately, Pant struggled for most of the IPL, managing just 269 runs in 13 innings. That’s not the kind of output a franchise paying such a hefty price tag expects.
Yet, Pant finally reminded everyone of his true potential in the last game, smashing a breathtaking 118 off 61 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Although it came in a losing cause, the innings was a powerful statement.
Zaheer Khan made it clear that while the batting form was shaky, nobody ever doubted Pant’s skill or leadership qualities. “He’s been good as a leader. That was a positive for us throughout the season,” Zaheer said after the match. “The form with the bat was definitely a learning experience for him, having this kind of season. But the ability and calibre, no one had any doubt about it.”
Leadership Under Pressure: Pant’s Captaincy as a Silver Lining
One of the biggest takeaways from the season has been Pant’s leadership. Zaheer was quick to emphasize how the young stumper’s role as captain was a positive throughout the campaign.
In the high-pressure environment of the IPL, steering a team through ups and downs is no easy task. “He’s shown real resilience as a leader. That leadership was a constant positive for us,” Zaheer pointed out.
It’s not just about the runs on the board but how a captain manages the squad, motivates teammates, and keeps spirits high during tough phases. Pant’s presence and fight kept LSG in the game, even when the results didn’t always go their way.
The Team’s Struggles: Injuries and Inconsistency Hinder LSG’s Playoff Dreams
Despite Pant’s efforts and flashes of brilliance from others, Lucknow’s season was marked by struggle. They ended up seventh on the table, finishing with six wins and eight losses — a disappointing spot for a franchise with such talent.
One of the major issues was injuries to key bowlers, which disrupted their rhythm and consistency. Zaheer openly admitted the team had to cope with losing some main bowling options early on.
“When you start off the IPL season, your first goal is to think about the playoffs and how you’re going to get there,” Zaheer said. “We obviously made a conscious effort to handle the challenges, especially losing a few main bowlers to injuries. We tried not to focus too much on that and looked for ways to win matches despite those setbacks.”
Bowling Woes: The Search for the Right Combinations
It’s no secret that LSG’s bowling unit struggled to find its groove. Zaheer highlighted that the team spent much of the season experimenting with combinations and trying different options.
“We were constantly trying to figure out bowling combos that could help us cross the line,” he said. “That was the story throughout the season. It was a challenge that was evident right from the start.”
The instability in the bowling department made it tough to string together consistent performances and put pressure on the batting side to always compensate.
Bright Spots: Stability in Batting and Overseas Contributions
Despite the challenges, there were definite positives — especially with the batting. Zaheer was upbeat about how the lineup, particularly the overseas players, brought some much-needed stability.
The overseas trio of Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, and Nicholas Pooran stood out, with Pooran emerging as one of the team’s most reliable batsmen.
“These guys added solidity and depth to the batting order,” Zaheer said. “There are a lot of positives to take away, especially the consistency and stability in batting.”
This solid batting core helped LSG stay competitive in many matches and set foundations for future campaigns.
Ending on a High: Pant’s Century as a Beacon of Hope
The final game’s spectacle — Pant’s electrifying 118-ball 61 — was a much-needed boost for the team and fans alike. It was a glimpse of what’s possible when the skipper is firing on all cylinders.
Zaheer was full of praise for how Pant finished the season. “We’re happy he ended on a really strong note — that’s the calibre he has and the impact he can have on the game,” he said.
This innings might just be the start of a new chapter for Pant — learning from this season’s ups and downs to come back even stronger.
Key Takeaways and Looking Ahead
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Leadership shines despite batting struggles: Pant’s captaincy was a steadying influence throughout.
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Injuries disrupted bowling plans: Losing main bowlers hurt the team’s rhythm.
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Batting stability from overseas stars: Markram, Marsh, and Pooran were reliable contributors.
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Pant’s late-season fireworks: A reminder of his game-changing ability.
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Learning and growth: Zaheer believes this tough season is a learning curve for the young skipper and the team.
Final Thoughts: Building for the Future
For the Lucknow Super Giants, 2025 was definitely a season of growth and challenges. Zaheer Khan’s confidence in Rishabh Pant’s potential remains unshaken. The team has identified areas to strengthen, especially in bowling, and knows the importance of building a resilient, consistent unit.
With the IPL being such a competitive tournament, every season teaches valuable lessons. Zaheer summed it up best: “We’ve had a decent season looking at the bigger picture, but we fell short in putting the complete game together. That’s what we’ll aim to improve next time.”
If there’s one thing for sure — LSG and Pant will be hungry for redemption and ready to come back swinging in the next IPL. The journey might be tough, but with talent, leadership, and determination, the sky’s the limit.
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