After Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were knocked out of the IPL 2025 playoff race following a six-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, captain Rishabh Pant opened up about the team’s challenges this season. He cited a long list of injuries and gaps in the bowling unit as key reasons for the franchise’s inconsistent performance.
Injury Troubles Hampered LSG’s Playoff Push
“Definitely it could have been one of our best seasons, but we had a lot of gaps and injuries from the start. We decided not to talk about them as a team, but it became difficult to fill those gaps,” said Pant in the post-match interview.
LSG started the tournament without Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Akash Deep, and Mayank Yadav — all key pacers. Though Avesh and Akash returned mid-season and Shardul Thakur was signed, Mayank played only a couple of games before being ruled out again.
Pant Reflects on Missed Opportunities
Pant reflected that the team’s auction strategy could have worked if not for the string of injuries. “This is cricket—sometimes things go your way, sometimes they don’t. But we take pride in the way we played.”
Despite a strong batting lineup, Pant himself had a dismal season with the bat. He did, however, highlight some positives, including the emergence of young bowler Digvesh Rathi. “The way he bowled in his debut season is encouraging. You need to keep improving and building each year,” he added.
Abhishek Sharma Powers SRH to Dominant Win
Sunrisers Hyderabad, on the other hand, cruised to victory thanks to a blistering 59 off 20 balls by Abhishek Sharma. With six sixes and five boundaries, Sharma credited his clarity in approach during a tough chase.
“If you’re chasing 200+, you need to dominate the powerplay. I just wanted to express myself, like I do in international cricket,” Sharma said, emphasizing the importance of taking responsibility.
Looking Ahead: LSG’s Focus on Recovery and Growth
LSG’s season showed flashes of brilliance but lacked consistency, especially during the crucial second half. Pant’s statements reflect a team struggling with fitness setbacks, something they hope to fix in the next season.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why did LSG fail to qualify for IPL 2025 playoffs?
LSG missed out on playoffs primarily due to injuries to key bowlers, inconsistency in the second half, and a lack of squad depth.
2. Who did Rishabh Pant blame for LSG’s poor IPL 2025 season?
Rishabh Pant pointed to multiple injuries and the inability to fill crucial bowling gaps as the main reasons for their underperformance.
3. Which bowlers were injured for LSG in IPL 2025?
Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Akash Deep, and Mayank Yadav were among the key bowlers who either missed or had limited participation due to injuries.
4. Who was a bright spot for LSG this season?
Young bowler Digvesh Rathi impressed in his debut season and was seen as one of the few positives by the LSG management.
5. What did Abhishek Sharma say after SRH’s win over LSG?
Abhishek Sharma said he followed a clear plan during the chase and stressed on taking responsibility as an international-level player.
