Aakash Chopra Warns Rishabh Pant is a “Prisoner of His Own Reputation” Ahead of IPL 2025
As the Lucknow Super Giants prepare for their 2025 Indian Premier League campaign, captain Rishabh Pant faces mounting scrutiny. After securing a record-breaking contract at the mega auction, the wicketkeeper-batter is under immense pressure to deliver consistent runs. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra recently highlighted concerns regarding Pant’s shot selection and unorthodox style.
The Cost of Unorthodox Batting
Speaking on JioCinema, Aakash Chopra analyzed Pant’s recent white-ball struggles, noting that his high-risk approach often costs him his wicket at inopportune moments.
“The scrutiny around Rishabh Pant is justified. He is a prisoner of his own reputation for playing unorthodox shots and rarely looks to grind out runs when the situation demands it,” Chopra stated. “Last season, despite opportunities to take time and rebuild his form, he continued to play risky shots, which drew criticism.”
Pant’s recent T20 International performances have led to his exclusion from India’s primary white-ball setup. Selectors have prioritized other wicketkeeper-batters who offer more top-order stability.
Rishabh Pant’s Recent T20 Record
| Format/Tournament | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2024 (Delhi Capitals) | 13 | 446 | 40.54 | 155.40 |
| T20 Internationals (2024) | 12 | 208 | 20.80 | 120.23 |
Data sourced from ESPN Cricinfo.
National Team Ramifications
Despite being a member of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad in Barbados, Pant’s position in the national T20I side is no longer secure. Chopra pointed out that the Indian team management has shifted its focus.
“He is now completely out of the conversation for the national side,” Chopra added. “The selectors and management went from selecting a middle-order keeper to an opener keeper and a keeper who can bat at three. While the IPL is massive, representing India remains the ultimate priority, and losing that spot means it is time for him to go back to the drawing board.”
Dravid’s Reservations and Seeking Mentorship
Chopra revealed that Pant’s highly unconventional approach also drew reservations from former India head coach Rahul Dravid, even in Test cricket.
“We sometimes fail to understand what Rishabh Pant brings to the table and how he sees the game unfold. In Test cricket, he had conversations with Rahul Dravid when he was the Head Coach. Rahul bhai was not very happy with Pant’s batting approach,” Chopra explained. “To give credit where it is due, Pant sees the game very differently from most of us who see it conventionally.”
To address these mechanical and tactical flaws, Pant has reportedly started training with former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh ahead of the upcoming IPL season, where his Lucknow Super Giants will face Delhi Capitals on April 1 at the Ekana Stadium.
- Focus Area 1: Rebuilding innings construction over immediate power-hitting.
- Focus Area 2: Technical adjustments against wide outside-off deliveries.
- Focus Area 3: Match awareness and situational pacing.
“The most heartening thing for me is his acceptance that he needs to change something in his game,” Chopra concluded. “The fact that he has approached Yuvraj Singh for help shows he acknowledges that he needs guidance. With the quality, talent, and skills he has, it is a travesty that he is not producing better numbers in white-ball cricket.”