PBKS vs LSG, IPL 2025: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) endured an eight-wicket defeat in their first home match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Punjab Kings (PBKS). The defeat has attracted questions regarding the performance of the team, with the team yet to make any good use of their home strength.
Sanjiv Goenka Spotted Scolding Rishabh Pant After PBKS vs LSG, IPL 2025
After the humiliating loss, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka was spotted in a heated exchange with captain Rishabh Pant. The exchange seemed intense, generating rumors regarding Pant’s captaincy and batting performance.
Interestingly, after his exchange with Pant, Goenka was subsequently spotted having a lighter conversation with PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer, even cracking a smile.
This has brought back memories of last year’s fiasco where Goenka was visibly upset with KL Rahul’s captaincy after LSG’s defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), which had jeopardized their playoff qualification.
LSG’s Miseries in IPL 2025 So Far
As a consequence of this defeat, LSG has now two losses in their three matches played in IPL 2025.
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– Match 1, vs Delhi Capitals (DC):
– LSG lost by one wicket when Pant was unable to stump Ashutosh Sharma for a DC victory in the last over.
– Match 2 (vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH):
– LSG won by five wickets with a strong overall performance.
– Match 3, vs Punjab Kings (PBKS):
– LSG lost at home by eight wickets demonstrating other weaknesses in their squad.
Pant’s Batting Woes Continue
Rishabh Pant, who was the most costly player in IPL history at Rs 27 crore, is still to make a mark with the bat:
– Match 1: Got out for a six-ball duck.
– Match 2: Made a run-a-ball 15 before getting out.
– Match 3: Could muster only 2 runs before Glenn Maxwell sent him back to the pavilion.
His ongoing battle with the bat is also generating doubts over whether LSG was correct in appointing him their captain and highest-paid player.
PBKS Sweeps Away the Run Chase
Despite LSG’s competitive total of 171/7, PBKS easily chased the target, winning with 22 balls remaining, and the impressive contributions of PBKS’s batters sealed the win.
-Contributions of PBKS batters on the scorecard: Prabhsimran Singh: A fluid half-century. Shreyas Iyer (Captain): Good half-century and led from the front. Nehal Wadhera (Impact Player): An attack-minded unbeaten 43 off just 25 balls.
There was not much more of a bowling impact on LSG’s attack as SBKS became the second team of the season to win their second match.
Pant Blames Pitch for the Loss
In the post-match presentation, Rishabh Pant expressed disappointment over the pitch conditions. He admitted that LSG was 20-25 runs short and suggested that the pitch curator had failed to prepare the expected slow wicket.
“It (the total) wasn’t sufficient, we were short by 20-25 runs, but that’s part and parcel of the game. Still evaluating the conditions at our home ground. It’s always going to be challenging to get a big total when you lose early wickets, but every single player is making an effort to push the game forward. The plan was to get a slow wicket.
I felt the slower balls were gripping. We have to learn from this game and move ahead. There are plenty of positives, can’t say much,” – Rishabh Pant.
This observation has fueled more controversy among cricket experts and enthusiasts, with many wondering if the pitch is a scapegoat.
What’s Next for LSG?
LSG now gets a week’s respite before they play defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens on April 8. With just one win from three matches, the team will be under huge pressure to bounce back and show their playoff worth.
The discussion between Sanjiv Goenka and Rishabh Pant after LSG’s defeat to PBKS has put the focus back on Pant’s form and leadership. As they head into their next match, we will be waiting to see how they bounce back from a much-needed break.
Will Pant finally deliver with the bat, or will LSG’s struggles continue? It would be decided in the next batch of matches. Though even at the end of the day, it does mean they have still a long way to go, at present IPL 2025 will determine their fate.
ALSO READ: IPL 2025: Digvesh Singh Rathi Penalized For Code Of Conduct Breach In LSG vs PBKS Game
