Rishabh Pant Laments Dropped Catches as Lucknow Super Giants Suffer Crushing Defeat to Punjab Kings
In a high-octane clash at the picturesque HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) found themselves on the wrong end of a 37-run defeat against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Sunday, further denting their playoff hopes in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. This loss, their sixth of the season, has left LSG languishing at seventh place on the points table with just 10 points from 11 matches. With only three league games remaining, the team faces a daunting uphill battle to secure a playoff berth.
LSG captain Rishabh Pant was candid in his assessment of the defeat, pinpointing dropped catches as the pivotal factor that cost his side the game. Speaking during the post-match presentation, Pant didn’t shy away from expressing his frustration. ‘When you drop crucial catches at the wrong time, it is going to hurt you badly,’ he remarked. These fielding lapses allowed PBKS to capitalize and post a mammoth total that proved out of reach for LSG’s batting unit.
Reflecting on the match dynamics, Pant admitted that his team misread the pitch conditions early on. ‘We thought the ball was going to do more, but we didn’t pick the right lengths at the start,’ he explained. ‘That’s part and parcel of T20 cricket, but we need to adapt faster.’ Despite the setback, Pant remained cautiously optimistic, clinging to the dream of a turnaround. ‘If we win our next three matches, we can definitely still make it,’ he asserted, signaling a call to action for his beleaguered squad.
Punjab Kings, sent in to bat first, unleashed a batting onslaught, amassing a formidable 236/5 in their 20 overs. The charge was led by the explosive Prabhsimran Singh, who smashed a breathtaking 91 off just 48 balls, including 9 fours and 6 sixes. His partnerships with captain Shreyas Iyer (45 off 30) and the unbeaten Shashank Singh (33* off 18) ensured PBKS maintained relentless pressure on LSG’s bowlers. For LSG, Naveen-ul-Haq was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/41, but it wasn’t enough to stem the tide.
In response, LSG’s chase faltered despite valiant efforts from Ayush Badoni, who scored a fighting 74 off 42 balls, and Abdul Samad with a spirited 45 off 28. However, the lack of support from the top order meant they finished at a disappointing 199/7. Pant highlighted the recurring issue of over-reliance on a few batters, stating, ‘We can’t expect the same players to do the heavy lifting every game. We need to take the innings deeper as a unit.’
As Punjab Kings soared to second place on the points table with 15 points, LSG must now regroup and address their glaring fielding errors. Historical data from IPL seasons shows that teams with consistent fielding stats—converting over 85% of catch opportunities—often secure top-four finishes. LSG’s current conversion rate, hovering around 78% as per recent match reports, underscores the urgency of improvement.
With the clock ticking, Lucknow Super Giants face a do-or-die scenario in their remaining fixtures. Their next challenge comes against table-toppers Mumbai Indians, a match that could define their season. Will Pant’s men rise to the occasion and keep their playoff dreams alive, or will their fielding frailties continue to haunt them? Only time will tell, but for now, the road ahead looks steep and unforgiving.