Tue Mar 25 01:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Lucknow Super Giants Captain Rishabh Pant Faces Owner’s Ire After IPL Debut Loss
**New Delhi:** Rishabh Pant’s debut as captain for the Lucknow Super Giants ended in disappointment, mirroring a similar scene from last year’s IPL. After a loss to Delhi Capitals in their opening match, Pant faced questioning from franchise owner Sanjeev Goenka near the dugout, reminiscent of the dressing-down KL Rahul received last season.
The Lucknow Super Giants lost a nail-biting finish, falling short by one wicket despite posting a seemingly defendable 209 runs. The costly defeat was compounded by Pant’s individual performance. Bought for a record-breaking ₹27 crore, he failed to score in his six-ball innings and missed a crucial stumping opportunity in the final over that could have secured victory for Lucknow. His dropped catch proved decisive as Delhi Capitals chased down the target in a thrilling last-over finish, thanks to an unbeaten 66 from Ashutosh Sharma. Delhi Capitals’ innings was boosted by earlier half-centuries from Nicholas Pooran (75) and Mitchell Marsh (72).
The match highlighted a disappointing start for Pant, who, despite his high price tag, struggled both with the bat and behind the stumps. The tense post-match exchange between Pant and Goenka further underscored the pressure on the young captain.
First Piper 