The former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist felt that the spark in the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper Rishabh Pant was missing. The wicketkeeper-batter was sold for INR 27 crore in the IPL mega auction and has managed to score just 128 runs from 10 innings at an average of 12.80.
The former wicket-keeper admitted that the left-hander is feeling the price tag pressure and also the burden of captaincy. The former Australian cricketer mentioned that the Indian batter is not being his own self on the field.
“Watching him, you always feel that he enjoys his cricket. We haven’t seen that this time around. Haven’t seen him smiling, laughing, being jovial, being relaxed. Maybe it is the responsibility of the captaincy, coming into a new franchise with that highest price tag over his head,” Gilchrist said on Cricbuzz.
“I don’t see him being his true personality. People may see hang on there, his batting has been too carefree. I think there is a happy balance in his stroke play and stroke selection. Don’t see the spark in him,” he added.
Also read: Ambati Rayudu slams Rishabh Pant over batting position after consistent failures, calls him stubborn
The 27-year-old has gone past the half-century mark only once, against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), but the knock went in vain as LSG lost the match at home. The Australian emphasised that the Haridwar-born is one of the most enjoyable cricketers on the field, but insisted that something is missing in him in the IPL 2025.
“Just don’t see that spark in him. I am just making this observation 10-11 games in. He’s one of the most enjoyable and entertaining cricketers to watch when his natural colour is coming through. He is a certain personality; he has a vibrant body language. Something is missing there, something is missing,” he added.
The LSG captain scored just 18 runs in 17 balls against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in his latest match and the team lost the match by a 37-run margin. LSG are currently placed seventh in the points table and will take on the table toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 9.
