’Rishabh Pant is an intelligent cricketer’: Sunil Gavaskar backs Rishabh Pant after his first match as Lucknow Super Giants captain 2025 best
‘Rishabh Pant is an Intelligent Cricketer’: Sunil Gavaskar Backs Rishabh Pant After His First Match as Lucknow Super Giants Captain
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season continues to bring surprises, and one of the biggest talking points has been Rishabh Pant’s new role as the captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The ’Rishabh Pant is an intelligent cricketer’: Sunil Gavaskar backs Rishabh Pant after his first match as Lucknow Super Giants captain 2025 best swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter, who previously led Delhi Capitals (DC), was at the helm for LSG for the first time, a move that sparked widespread discussion among cricketing experts and fans.
After his captaincy debut for LSG, Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar came forward with strong support for Pant, hailing him as an “intelligent cricketer” and defending his leadership despite LSG’s narrow loss in their latest encounter.
Rishabh Pant’s First Match as LSG Captain: A Close Contest
Pant’s captaincy debut with Lucknow Super Giants came in a highly anticipated match against Delhi Capitals, the very team he had previously captained. ’Rishabh Pant is an intelligent cricketer’: Sunil Gavaskar backs Rishabh Pant after his first match as Lucknow Super Giants captain 2025 best His leadership style was under scrutiny as LSG fell short in a closely fought battle.
The Match Summary
- Delhi Capitals (DC) batted first and posted 178/6 in 20 overs.
- David Warner led the charge with a well-crafted 55 off 39 balls.
- Tristan Stubbs added valuable runs in the death overs.
- Ravi Bishnoi was the pick of the LSG bowlers, claiming 3 wickets for 27 runs.
- LSG, in response, ended at 171/7, losing the game by just 7 runs.
- Rishabh Pant himself contributed a quickfire 41 off 26 balls.
- Nicholas Pooran’s late charge (36 off 18 balls) gave hope, but LSG fell short.
Despite the loss, Pant’s leadership skills were closely analyzed, and while some critics pointed to his strategic errors, Sunil Gavaskar had a different perspective.
Sunil Gavaskar’s Strong Backing for Rishabh Pant
Sunil Gavaskar, one of the most respected voices in cricket, backed Rishabh Pant’s intelligence and adaptability as a captain. He highlighted Pant’s sharp ’Rishabh Pant is an intelligent cricketer’: Sunil Gavaskar backs Rishabh Pant after his first match as Lucknow Super Giants captain 2025 best decision-making and the positive influence he had on the LSG squad.
“Rishabh Pant is an intelligent cricketer. He has played enough T20 matches to understand different situations. His leadership will only improve as the tournament progresses,” Gavaskar said during a post-match analysis.
He further elaborated on Pant’s aggressive and fearless approach, which has been a hallmark of his career. Gavaskar dismissed the criticism that Pant made questionable bowling changes, stating:
“Yes, some decisions didn’t work out, but T20 cricket is unpredictable. He backed his bowlers, made the right field placements, and kept the game alive till the final over.”
Gavaskar’s comments come at a crucial time when Pant is trying to establish himself as a leader outside Delhi Capitals.
Rishabh Pant’s Evolution as a Captain
Pant’s transition from Delhi Capitals to Lucknow Super Giants was one of the biggest moves ahead of IPL 2025. His leadership record at DC was a mixed bag, ’Rishabh Pant is an intelligent cricketer’: Sunil Gavaskar backs Rishabh Pant after his first match as Lucknow Super Giants captain 2025 best but he was often praised for his aggressive mindset and belief in young players.
Pant’s Strengths as a Captain:
- Fearless Approach: Pant is known for taking bold decisions, whether with his batting or in the field as a captain.
- Strong Game Awareness: He reads situations well and adjusts his plans accordingly.
- Trust in Young Talent: At DC, he backed young bowlers and gave them crucial overs, something he has continued at LSG.
- Proactive Wicketkeeping Leadership: Pant’s positioning behind the stumps helps him assess conditions quickly and adjust field placements accordingly.
Despite these strengths, his first match as LSG captain exposed areas of improvement, particularly in handling pressure moments.
Where Pant Can Improve:
- Bowling Changes Under Pressure: Some felt Ravi Bishnoi should have bowled earlier in the death overs, considering his excellent form.
- Better Strike Rotation in Middle Overs: Pant, along with other middle-order batters, struggled to rotate strike efficiently against spinners.
- Managing Nicholas Pooran’s Role: Pooran, LSG’s best finisher, came in slightly late, which may have cost them momentum.
How Pant’s Leadership Differs from KL Rahul
Pant took over the LSG captaincy from KL Rahul, who led the team for two seasons. ’Rishabh Pant is an intelligent cricketer’: Sunil Gavaskar backs Rishabh Pant after his first match as Lucknow Super Giants captain 2025 best The contrasting leadership styles of Pant and Rahul have already become a topic of discussion:
| Aspect | Rishabh Pant | KL Rahul |
|---|---|---|
| Aggression | More aggressive and fearless | More composed and calculated |
| Tactical Changes | Quick and sometimes instinctive | More structured and planned |
| Field Placements | Constantly adjusts based on match flow | Prefers set fields |
| Batting Approach | Explosive and high-risk | Anchoring with stability |
Gavaskar believes that Pant’s natural instincts as an aggressive player will shape LSG’s brand of cricket, which may bring results once he settles into his role.
What’s Next for Pant and LSG?
LSG’s journey in IPL 2025 has just begun, and Pant will have ample opportunities to prove his mettle as a leader. The team management will need to work on:
- Fine-tuning their batting order to ensure a strong finish.
- Utilizing bowlers optimally in the death overs.
- Maximizing powerplay scores to reduce pressure later in the innings.
Pant himself acknowledged in the post-match press conference that he is still adjusting to the new role but remains optimistic:
“It’s a learning process. I enjoy the responsibility and will keep improving with each game.”
Upcoming Fixtures for LSG:
- Match 2: LSG vs Mumbai Indians (A tough challenge against MI’s strong batting lineup)
- Match 3: LSG vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (A crucial encounter against SRH’s balanced attack)
- Match 4: LSG vs Chennai Super Kings (A test against MS Dhoni’s tactical brilliance)
Conclusion: Pant’s Potential as an IPL Captain
While LSG’s loss in the opening match may have raised questions, Sunil Gavaskar’s backing of Rishabh Pant is a significant vote of confidence. Pant’s aggressive mindset, tactical adaptability, and ability to rally his team make him an exciting captain for LSG.
As the season progresses, his leadership skills will be tested further, but given his intelligence, experience, and fearless attitude, Pant has the potential to emerge as one of IPL’s most exciting captains.
For now, with Gavaskar’s endorsement and LSG’s trust in him, Pant will be eager to turn things around and lead his team to success in IPL 2025.
