From hero to No 7: What’s happening with Rishabh Pant in IPL Season 18?

Dubai: From being India’s T20 X-factor to a No 7 afterthought — Rishabh Pant’s IPL season has unravelled alarmingly. The Lucknow Super Giants skipper, bought for a record Rs270 million, was once again reduced to a late-innings cameo on Tuesday. But even that ended in disappointment — a two-ball duck that left him visibly seething. The question now is not just about form, but role: why is Pant being sidelined in his own team?

Pant did not walk out to bat until the final over against Delhi Capitals, a surprising decision given Lucknow were 99 for 2 in the 12th over and well set. The left-hander eventually arrived at No. 7 and was bowled off the last ball of the innings. As he stormed back to the dugout, the frustration was unmistakable.

Former India stars Anil Kumble and Suresh Raina believe the decision clearly rattled Pant.

“It’s alright if you wanted to bat more freely under less pressure by coming in late, but this was way too late,” said Kumble on Star Sports. “The kind of frustration Rishabh is showing is evident that he was wronged. He probably wanted to bat higher. Was it his decision? Or was it coach Justin Langer’s, or maybe mentor Zaheer Khan’s? Whose decision was it? Because he looked very frustrated.”

The decline has been gradual but consistent. Just two months ago in Dubai, while preparing for the Champions Trophy, Pant looked sharp and confident in India’s training sessions. He was the standout in the nets, effortlessly putting away 140kph deliveries from sidearm specialists. The talent and timing were unmistakable.

But he didn’t play a single match in the Champions Trophy, with the management backing KL Rahul for the 50-over format. That absence, combined with lack of match time, appears to have chipped away at Pant’s rhythm. By the end of India’s monthlong stay in the UAE, his timing had deserted him, and the sixes weren’t coming.

Back in his preferred T20 format, things haven’t improved. In eight innings for Lucknow so far, Pant has scored just 106 runs — with a high score of 63 and only one other innings above 20. He’s fallen for two ducks, both against Delhi.

On Tuesday, Pant dropped himself down the order, letting Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, and David Miller bat ahead of him on what he later called a “tough pitch.” But the tactic backfired.

Samad walked in at No 4, but was caught and bowled by Mukesh Kumar after adding just 2. Between overs 14 and 19, they hit just four boundaries and limped to 159/6.

Pant explained the move in his post-match comments:

“The idea was to capitalise. We sent Samad to capitalise on a wicket like that. After that, Miller came in, and we just really got stuck in the wicket. Eventually, these are the things we’ve got to figure out and try to find our best combination going forward.”

He also noted that the toss had once again played a decisive role at the Ekana Cricket Stadium.

“We knew we were 20 runs short. In Lucknow, the toss plays a big part. Whoever bowls first gets a lot of help from the wicket. In the second innings, the wicket gets better. That’s how the game goes, and you can’t complain. But as a team, we are not looking for excuses.”

The Lucknow Super Giants may not be making excuses, but there are concerns they haven’t yet found the right way to reintegrate their marquee player — who not long ago was India’s most dynamic white-ball batter.

Pant has come back from the brink before, surviving a near-fatal car crash and returning to elite cricket in record time. That same courage is needed now — not just to claw back form, but to reclaim his place in the heart of this team.