Rishabh Pant’s Struggles Deepen: Hefty Fine Adds to LSG’s Woes After Mumbai Indians Thrashing

In a dramatic turn of events at the Wankhede Stadium, Rishabh Pant’s tumultuous IPL 2025 campaign hit a new low on Sunday. The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain not only endured a crushing 54-run defeat to the in-form Mumbai Indians (MI) but was also slapped with a staggering Rs 24 lakh fine for a slow over-rate offence, compounding his already mounting troubles.

Pant’s personal form has been a significant concern this season, and his woes were laid bare once again as he managed a paltry 4 runs while chasing MI’s imposing total of 215 for 7. The defeat marks LSG’s second consecutive loss, leaving them teetering at sixth place in the points table with only four matches remaining in the league stage. Meanwhile, MI’s dominant performance, powered by Suryakumar Yadav’s blistering 54 off 28 balls and Jasprit Bumrah’s lethal 4-wicket haul, secured their fifth straight victory, solidifying their position as title contenders.

The financial penalty adds insult to injury for Pant, marking LSG’s second slow over-rate offence this season under Article 2.22 of the IPL Code of Conduct. The rest of the LSG playing XI, including the Impact Player, were also fined either Rs 6 lakh or 25 percent of their match fees, whichever is lesser. This isn’t just a monetary setback; it reflects deeper issues in Pant’s captaincy, as maintaining over-rate discipline is a crucial aspect of leadership in the fast-paced IPL format.

Reflecting on the match, Pant attempted to remain optimistic despite the setbacks. ‘It (bowling first) was the right decision for us, we back our batting,’ he said post-match. ‘But today was not our day. We can figure it out because we have a break.’ However, with pressure mounting both on and off the field, the 27-year-old dynamo faces an uphill battle. His batting slump—he has failed to score a fifty in his last five innings—combined with tactical missteps as captain, paints a worrying picture for LSG’s playoff aspirations.

As MI celebrated yet another clinical performance, the spotlight remains firmly on Pant. Can he rediscover the aggressive, game-changing flair that made him a household name? With time running out, LSG fans will be hoping for a miraculous turnaround. For now, Pant’s fines and failures serve as a stark reminder of the relentless demands of IPL captaincy—a role that tests even the most resilient of cricketers.