KKN Gurugram Desk | In a dramatic turn of events during the opening match of the 2025 IPL season, Rishabh Pant, the newly appointed captain of Lucknow Super Giants, faced intense scrutiny after his disappointing performance. Despite a promising build-up to the season, Pant’s first match as captain ended in frustration, as Delhi Capitals managed to defeat Lucknow in the final over of the game.

In a scene that evoked memories of last year’s similar instances, Sanjiv Goenka, the owner of the Lucknow Super Giants franchise, was seen questioning Pant on his performance from the dugout. This interaction quickly became the center of attention, reminiscent of the moment last year when KL Rahul also faced reprimand from the management after a poor match.

The High Expectations and Early Setback for Rishabh Pant

On March 24, 2025, the Lucknow Super Giants played their first match of IPL Season 18, but the outcome was far from what they had hoped for. Despite high expectations from their new captain, Pant’s performance fell short, making it a match to forget for the young leader.

Pant, who was bought for a whopping ₹27 crores, the highest bid ever in IPL history for a player, failed to get off the mark in the opening match. He went scoreless, falling after facing just six balls, as Kuldeep Yadav had him caught at the boundary by Faf du Plessis. This poor performance added to his woes as it followed a lackluster outing with the gloves as well.

Last Over Drama: Rishabh Pant’s Missed Opportunity

The match seemed poised for an exciting finish when Delhi Capitals, needing six runs to win in the final over, found themselves at the edge of defeat with nine wickets down. In a crucial moment, Pant, while keeping wickets, missed a golden opportunity to dismiss Moeen Sharma with a stumping chance on the very first ball of the over.

Had Pant successfully stumped Sharma, the match would likely have gone in favor of Lucknow Super Giants, marking their first win of the season. Instead, the missed chance allowed Delhi Capitals to stay in the game, ultimately securing the win and leaving Pant and his team to rue the missed opportunity.

Franchise Owner Sanjiv Goenka’s Interaction with Rishabh Pant

The incident that captured the most attention was Sanjiv Goenka, the owner of the Lucknow Super Giants, confronting Rishabh Pant in the dugout. As the team fell short of victory, Goenka was seen engaging in a discussion with Pant, likely offering his feedback or questioning the captain’s decisions on the field.

This interaction reminded fans of last season when Goenka had similarly reprimanded KL Rahul after a series of disappointing performances. Goenka’s candid approach highlights his intense involvement in the team’s fortunes, making it clear that the stakes are high, and expectations from the captain are immense.

Delhi Capitals’ Victory: The Match Decided in the Last Over

Delhi Capitals, under the leadership of David Warner, made a dramatic comeback in the final over to win the match by a narrow margin. The last-over finish not only highlighted the resilience of the Delhi Capitals but also underscored the mistakes made by the Lucknow Super Giants, especially Pant’s crucial errors behind the stumps.

Ashutosh Sharma, a rising star for Delhi Capitals, played a pivotal role in their victory. His 66-run knock was instrumental in getting Delhi close to their target, and ultimately, the team’s ability to capitalize on the crucial moments—like the missed stumping opportunity—made all the difference.

Pant’s Leadership and the Pressure to Perform

As a captain, Rishabh Pant was expected to lead from the front, both with the bat and behind the stumps. His failure to make an impact with the bat and his missed stumping chance have raised questions about his preparedness and ability to lead the team through challenging moments. The leadership role is never easy, especially when the pressure to deliver is high, but Pant’s ability to bounce back from this defeat will be crucial to his future as the captain of Lucknow Super Giants.

The IPL 2025 season has just begun, and while it is early to make final judgments, Pant’s performance will be under constant scrutiny. As the team’s captain, he must ensure that he learns from these mistakes and builds a strong, cohesive team for the upcoming matches.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Rishabh Pant and Lucknow Super Giants?

Despite the disappointing start to the season, Rishabh Pant and the Lucknow Super Giants have the potential to turn things around. The team boasts a talented lineup, and with the right leadership and tactical adjustments, they can recover from this early setback. Pant’s resilience will be tested in the coming matches, and he will need to demonstrate his capability as a leader and as a player.

For Lucknow Super Giants, it’s important to reflect on this loss and strategize for the future. Pant’s ability to handle pressure, make key decisions under stress, and learn from his mistakes will be essential in steering the team to success in the rest of the season.

Sanjiv Goenka, the owner of the Lucknow Super Giants, has always been an influential figure in the team’s decision-making process. His presence in the dugout and his candid interactions with the captain signal his high level of involvement in the team’s fortunes. Goenka’s expectations from the team, particularly from Pant, are high, and he likely demands results quickly given the team’s substantial investment in the captain.

The relationship between Goenka and Pant will play a crucial role in shaping the team’s future, and how they navigate this initial setback will determine the team’s trajectory for the rest of the IPL season.