Rishabh Pant unleashed a storm at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, smashing an unbeaten 118 off 61 balls to propel Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to a formidable 227/3 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their IPL 2025 encounter on Tuesday. This sensational knock—his first IPL century in seven years—marked a roaring comeback for the LSG captain, who had been grappling with inconsistent form throughout the season.
Pant’s explosive innings, studded with 11 fours and 8 sixes, was complemented by a fiery 67 off 37 balls from Mitchell Marsh. Together, the duo forged a match-defining 152-run partnership for the second wicket, capitalizing on a batting-friendly pitch and some erratic bowling from RCB. This performance not only silenced Pant’s critics but also kept LSG’s playoff hopes alive in a critical phase of the tournament.
Heading into the match, Pant had been under intense scrutiny. His season strike rate of just 107 had raised questions about his form as both a batter and captain. However, on this electric night in Delhi, the southpaw flipped the narrative. With calculated aggression, he struck at nearly 200, rediscovering his rhythm and timing. A standout moment came in the fourth over when he dismantled RCB pacer Yash Dayal, plundering 18 runs with a six and consecutive fours—a statement of intent that set the tone for the innings.
Marsh, often nicknamed the ‘Bison’, played the perfect foil. Initially cautious with 19 off 16 balls, he exploded with a pulled six off Romario Shepherd, eventually reaching his half-century in 31 balls. His season tally now stands past 600 runs, marking his best-ever IPL campaign. Although Marsh fell for 67, edging Bhuvneshwar Kumar to stand-in captain and wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma, Pant remained relentless.
The LSG skipper surged to his century in just 54 balls, sealing the milestone with an audacious lofted four over extra cover—a quintessential Pant stroke. His celebration, a wide grin followed by a trademark backflip, encapsulated the joy of redemption. Pant later added a brisk 49-run stand with Nicholas Pooran, ensuring LSG finished on a high note.
Interestingly, this masterclass unfolded without LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka in attendance at the stadium. However, Goenka was quick to laud Pant’s heroics on social media with a succinct yet impactful post: “‘Pant’astic!”. For fans, this knock was a blend of flair and maturity—while Pant stuck to classical shots for much of his innings, the century-clinching shot was a reminder of his flamboyant best.
As the IPL 2025 league stage nears its conclusion, Pant’s return to form could be the turning point for LSG. With the team eyeing a playoff berth, this performance not only boosts their campaign but also reaffirms Pant’s credentials as one of India’s most destructive batters. For RCB, who struggled to contain the onslaught despite missing regular captain Rajat Patidar (listed as an Impact Substitute), the road ahead looks daunting. Can Pant sustain this momentum, and will LSG capitalize on this resurgence? The cricketing world waits with bated breath.