Rishabh Pant’s IPL 2025 return hasn’t quite gone to plan. Bought by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a hefty sum at the auction, Pant was expected to be the x-factor in a lineup searching for consistency. (Full Coverage | Points Table | More Cricket News)
But as the tournament enters its business end, both Pant’s form and his impact as captain have come under the scanner. With just 128 runs from 10 innings—63 of them coming in a single knock—the numbers are telling a story of a player struggling to rediscover his rhythm.
While poor returns with the bat are part of the concern, former Australia captain Aaron Finch believes the problem runs deeper. Speaking on JioHotstar, Finch pointed out that Pant's dual role as wicketkeeper and captain may be complicating things, particularly in the high-pressure timeframes dictated by the IPL’s over-rate regulations.
"It must be tough captaining while keeping wickets," Finch said. "You only have a few seconds to communicate with your bowlers. There's pressure to get the overs done on time, so you’re left with maybe 10–15 seconds to talk, if that."
He added that because of these limitations, Nicholas Pooran—LSG’s vice-captain and a keeper himself—often ends up relaying tactical messages. But that comes with its own risks: “It can be hard to stick to a plan because the bowler’s thinking can change ball by ball,” Finch said.
As a potential fix, Finch suggested Pant step away from the gloves temporarily to regain control of the game as a leader: “Maybe he could say, ‘Hey Pooran, can you keep for a game? I need to get my rhythm back.’”
Finch also reflected on how rapid momentum swings now define the T20 format. “One or two balls can change the game entirely. That’s why strategic communication is vital. You often see guys like Shreyas Iyer or Shubman Gill around the bowlers for input. That’s a luxury Pant doesn’t have when keeping.”
