Zaheer Khan backed under-fire LSG captain Rishabh Pant, praising his leadership despite Pant’s poor form with just 110 runs in 10 matches.
Rishabh Pant’s poor form continues to trouble Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025. The captain managed only four runs against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium, where LSG also suffered their fifth defeat of the season. Their playoff hopes have become more difficult after the loss. Pant has scored just 110 runs in 10 matches, averaging 12.22 with a strike rate of 98.21. Bought for INR 27 crore in last year’s mega auction, Pant’s struggles have raised concerns.
However, LSG mentor Zaheer Khan praised Pant’s leadership and showed full faith in his comeback. Khan highlighted Pant’s efforts in managing the squad and keeping the team motivated despite challenges.
“I wouldn’t relate it to anything like that. He is a leader and he has been fantastic as a leader, that’s something which I can vouch for, The kind of efforts he has been taking to make sure that each and every individual in that group is comfortable, is heard (out) and the planning to everything which goes around in IPL has been spot on,” Zaheer told the media after the loss against MI.
“I wouldn’t relate it to pressure. You have seen that he is the kind of personality… what happened in the last game is something which is gone by and what’s going to happen, he is a very optimistic and a positive personality, so from our side, it’s just about continuing with that,” he added.
Zaheer Khan then confirmed that Rishabh Pant will continue to lead the team despite his poor form in IPL 2025. He dismissed any speculation about Pant being dropped next season and noted his importance to the team’s future plans.
“When you’re talking about a team, you’re talking about winning the tournament. We’ve identified Rishabh as that leader who is going to take this team forward, so there is no doubt about that, There are going to be people who are going to hit form. There are going to be people who are going to be short on form, that’s the way game goes,” the coach said.
“We know that in the back-end of the tournament now, the pressure is going to be high, so that’s the focus and it’s about finding that one innings, that is something for anyone, I always say,” Zaheer Khan concluded.
Lucknow Super Giants will face Punjab Kings on May 4. LSG currently sit sixth on the points table, while PBKS are placed fifth.
