Rishabh Pant Under Fire, Isn’t It Unfair?

Few players in the IPL generate as much buzz as Rishabh Pant, but this season, the chatter has been more about his struggles than his usual swashbuckling style. With his form dipping and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) languishing in the bottom half of the table, criticism has been relentless. But here’s the real question – Why is Pant being singled out?

Not alone in his struggles

Pant’s numbers this season don’t make for pretty reading, but he is far from the only star underperforming. MS Dhoni, one of the most celebrated cricketers, hasn’t had a great outing either. Several other established players have failed to fire; yet the spotlight seems disproportionately fixed on Pant. Why does Pant, time and again, bear the brunt of harsh scrutiny from ex-players?

Is it because of high expectations, or because he was paid a huge amount by the franchisee or is it simply convenient for critics to latch onto his struggles while ignoring the broader picture?

“Over the years, several senior players have struggled in the IPL, yet their performances in international matches have remained strong. Judging a player solely based on one IPL season is not a fair assessment,” said former Indian pacer Karsan Ghavri, who has played 39 Tests, 18 ODIs, and 159 First Class matches. Furthermore, cricket is a team sport. “He alone cannot be held responsible for his IPL team’s struggles,” Ghavri added, in an exclusive chat with this reporter.

Captaincy and Wicketkeeping: Too much on his plate?

“Leading an IPL team is no small task. Pair that with the demands of wicketkeeping, and you’ve got one of the most mentally and physically exhausting roles in cricket.”

Pant’s body language this season suggests that the responsibility of captaincy is weighing on him,” says Ghavri.

Has the pressure of leading LSG hindered his free-flowing batting? Is he being too cautious, trying to anchor the team rather than playing with his usual reckless flair? Or is his dual role leaving him fatigued, leading to lapses in both his leadership and batting execution?

Is batting position a problem?

Pant thrives when he’s allowed to ‘dictate the innings’ – be it as an opener or an early middle-order aggressor. But this season, he has largely been in the middle order, often coming in when the team is already under pressure.

Instead of taking control from ball one, he has found himself forced into repair jobs – a role he doesn’t naturally excel at. Should LSG rethink his batting position? Should they let him bat with freedom instead of burdening him with the task of rebuilding the innings?

In need of support, not criticism

“Every player goes through rough patches, even the greats. Pant’s struggles are glaring, but rather than relentless criticism, perhaps the conversation should shift to how he can rediscover his spark. His talent is unquestionable; what he needs is backing, tactical adjustments, and perhaps, a little more space to play his natural game”, Ghavri added.

“Instead of singling him out for criticism, it might be time to ask whether he is being put in a situation set up for failure", he concluded.