Picture Credit: X/IPL
Punjab Kings (PBKS) have started their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign phenomenally, winning their initial two games convincingly. On April 1, they handed a solid hammering to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and added two more points to their profile. After the match, the franchise took a sly dig at Rishabh Pant on X, reminding the wicketkeeper-batter of his old comment during an interview. Back in January 2025, when Pant was appointed as LSG skipper, he disclosed how he was stressed during the IPL 2025 mega auction fearing that PBKS might end up reserving his services for the competition. He also added he was relieved to see Shreyas Iyer getting signed up by Punjab eventually.
“Internally, I had only one tension, that was Punjab (Kings). When Shreyas went to Punjab at the start, I felt I could make it to LSG. I thought there might be a possibility. But eventually, with auction you never know. For some things, you just have to wait and watch. So, I also had my fingers crossed," said Pant in a chat with Star Sports in January 2025. Reacting to Pant’s old comment, PBKS have posted a clip on X which features Shreyas Iyer along with the caption, “Tension toh auction mein hi khatam ho gayi thi! (Our worries ended at the auction itself)."
Pant has looked completely out of rhythm in IPL 2025 thus far
Pant has put up a miserable show with his bat in the marquee T20 event. In three outings, he has amassed scores such as 0, 15, and two. Amidst his disheartening performances, questions are rising whether the southpaw is crumbling due to his colossal price tag of INR 27 Crore, which made him the costliest player in the history of IPL.
The 27-year-old will look to shut his critics’ mouth in his side’s upcoming match against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on April 4. However, LSG will have to stay cautious against Hardik Pandya and his men as they will enter the match after beating defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by eight wickets at the Wankhede Stadium.
