After Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) suffered a narrow 1-wicket defeat to Delhi Capitals in their IPL 2025 opener, team owner Sanjiv Goenka had a quiet yet pointed conversation with captain Rishabh Pant, recalling the infamous KL Rahul incident from the previous season.
Goenka, who made a significant investment by acquiring Rishabh Pant for ₹27 crore in the mega auction, was seen chatting with Pant shortly after LSG fell short in defending 210 runs. However, it was a quiet reminder to Pant that he must quickly get his act together or face the consequences.
Pant, making his debut as captain and player for LSG, had a disappointing day across all departments. Despite the match producing over 420 runs and several batters striking at over 200, Pant was dismissed for a six-ball duck, undone by a clever delivery from Kuldeep Yadav. His leadership and wicketkeeping also came under scrutiny, with some questionable decisions made during the game.
Shardul Thakur, LSG’s most experienced bowler, was limited to just two overs, even after taking two wickets in his first over. In the final overs, with 22 runs needed, Pant handed the ball to Prince Yadav, an inexperienced bowler, instead of Shardul. Yadav conceded 16 runs in his over and even with one over to go and just a run-a-ball needed, Pant opted to bring on left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed, ignoring Shardul completely.
The match almost slipped away for LSG when Pant missed a crucial stumping opportunity in the final over. Shahbaz bowled a beauty to Delhi’s No. 11, Mohit Sharma, but Pant failed to gather the ball after it ricocheted off Mohit’s back pad, a moment that could have made the difference.
Ashutosh snatches victory for Delhi Capitals
Despite Delhi being in a precarious position at 113 for 6, LSG failed to close out the game. Ashutosh Sharma’s impressive knock of 66* off 31 balls lifted Delhi to victory with three balls to spare, securing an unlikely win for the Capitals in Visakhapatnam.
Ashutosh hit the winning six with just one wicket remaining. Delhi, who had been in dire straits at 7 for 3 in the second over, had already lost half their side by the time Faf du Plessis was dismissed for 29. New captain Axar Patel contributed with a quickfire 22, and Tristan Stubbs added 34, but it was Ashutosh’s cool-headed finish that secured a thrilling victory for Delhi.
