Ambati Rayudu urged Rishabh Pant to take more responsibility as LSG captain and make stronger decisions to improve the team’s IPL 2025 campaign.
Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu has criticised Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant for his decisions during the ongoing IPL 2025. Rayudu pointed out Pant’s poor call to demote himself in the batting order against Delhi Capitals, where he batted at number seven and faced just two balls.
Pant was dismissed for a duck, ending his outing with only 106 runs from eight innings this season. LSG’s decision to send Ayush Badoni, David Miller, and Abdul Samad ahead of Pant backfired as the team failed to post a competitive total. Delhi Capitals chased down the target comfortably, handing LSG an eight-wicket defeat.
Rayudu suggested the captain should lead with more intent and bat higher up the order. He also mentioned the need for changes in LSG’s playing XI, including bringing in pacer Mayank Yadav.
“Pant really needs to take control of the decisions that are being made at LSG,” Rayudu said on Star Sports.
“He needs to come up the order. He cannot give any more excuses. He is the captain and it is a captain’s sport. We all acknowledge that. Going forward, LSG need to make a few changes: maybe get Mayank Yadav in. Also Pant has to bat slightly higher. You are visibly quite tensed about the whole situation,” he added.
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Lucknow Super Giants remain in fifth place on the IPL 2025 table, just three wins away from boosting their playoff hopes. However, off-field matters continue to attract attention. Rishabh Pant’s hefty price tag and the franchise’s past controversies involving KL Rahul and owner Sanjiv Goenka have added pressure.
“I feel Pant really needs to take the onus on himself. He really needs to take the decisions on his own. Sometimes these visuals are not really good if you are a good team. Because you want everything to be closed doors. You want everything to be said indoors. And also you don’t want any dirty laundry to be washed outside,” Rayudu said,
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During the recent match against Delhi Capitals, Pant was seen in a heated exchange with mentor Zaheer Khan before heading out to bat. The moment went viral online. LSG will look to shift focus back on the field when they face Mumbai Indians next, at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, April 27.
