Tue Mar 25 01:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Lucknow Super Giants Captain Rishabh Pant Faces Post-Match Grilling After IPL Debut Loss
**New Delhi:** A repeat of last year’s controversial scene unfolded in the IPL after Lucknow Super Giants suffered a narrow defeat to Delhi Capitals in their season opener. Captain Rishabh Pant, the most expensive player in IPL history at ₹27 crore, was seen being questioned by franchise owner Sanjeev Goenka after the match, echoing similar scenes involving KL Rahul last season.
Pant’s debut was disastrous. He scored a duck off six balls, failing to even open his account, and then missed a crucial stumping opportunity in the final over that could have secured victory for Lucknow. Delhi Capitals, needing six runs with one wicket left, snatched victory thanks to a breathtaking 66* off 31 balls from Ashutosh Sharma, who hit a six in the final ball.
Earlier, Delhi had restricted Lucknow to 209/8, despite impressive half-centuries from Nicholas Pooran (75) and Mitchell Marsh (72). Pant’s poor performance both with the bat and behind the stumps left him facing the ire of his franchise owner, highlighting a disappointing start to the season for the newly appointed captain.
First Piper 