Rishabh Pant is sufferer of dangerous timing in IPL 2025: Akash Deep defends LSG captain

Lucknow Tremendous Giants pacer Akash Deep has backed his captain, Rishabh Pant, amid widespread criticism of his type within the ongoing IPL 2025 season, saying the wicketkeeper-batter is a sufferer of “dangerous timing” fairly than strain.

Pant, the most costly participant in IPL historical past at Rs 27 crore, has endured a disappointing marketing campaign. In 13 matches, the left-hander has managed simply 151 runs at a median of 13.73 and a strike fee of beneath 100. His highest rating—63 off 49 balls—got here towards Chennai Tremendous Kings in a match that had little impression on LSG’s playoff probabilities.

“Look, I really feel that in cricket, timing can be one thing crucial,” Akash Deep mentioned forward of Lucknow’s remaining league fixture. “I don’t assume it’s about strain as a result of Rishabh has performed loads of cricket, and at a really excessive degree too, and he has carried out as nicely. An athlete who has achieved a lot in life is aware of how one can deal with strain. So I don’t assume strain is the rationale. It’s extra about timing—generally you need to do one thing, nevertheless it simply doesn’t occur. I really feel that’s the part Rishabh goes via proper now.”

Pant was anticipated to bounce again strongly after being neglected of India’s ODI XI throughout their victorious Champions Trophy marketing campaign earlier this 12 months. As an alternative, his IPL type has solely raised extra questions. In a must-win recreation for LSG, he was dismissed for simply 7, chipping a return catch to Eshan Malinga.

Lucknow, who had invested closely in constructing the workforce round Pant, did not qualify for the playoffs. Alongside his struggles with the bat, his management has additionally come beneath scrutiny. Regardless of the workforce’s shortcomings, LSG did have their share of positives this season.

Their abroad trio—Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, and Nicholas Pooran, who has been the franchise’s standout performer—tore via GT’s bowling assault to submit a large 235/2. The bowling unit additionally impressed, providing glimpses of what the marketing campaign might need appeared like with out the string of accidents that plagued them.

The addition of Will O’Rourke, signed as a substitute for the injured Mayank Yadav, proved to be a wise transfer. Spinner Digvesh Rathi, LSG’s discover of the season, will even return for the upcoming conflict after serving a one-match suspension for his animated send-offs.