LSG vs DC: Why Rishabh Pant Came to Bat So Late Against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025? Reason Revealed

In the IPL 2025 clash between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Stadium, the focus was not just on the match but also on an unusual decision by LSG captain Rishabh Pant.

Pant, who is leading LSG this season after moving on from DC, surprised fans by walking out to bat only in the final over — facing just two balls before being dismissed for a duck. This decision has sparked a lot of discussion among fans and experts.

Why Didn’t Rishabh Pant Come to Bat Earlier?

This isn’t the first time Pant has held himself back. He did something similar against Kolkata Knight Riders earlier this season, citing tactical reasons. Back then, he said the openers gave a solid start, and he wanted to continue with a left-right batting combination in the middle.

Against DC, LSG got off to a strong start as Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh added 87 runs for the first wicket. But once the pair departed, LSG suffered a quick collapse.

Pant once again stayed back, and Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, and ‘impact player’ Ayush Badoni were sent ahead of him. It appeared to be a strategy based on matchups, given LSG’s middle order has many left-handers and Pant himself has been out of form throughout the season.

A Risk That Didn’t Pay Off

In the end, Pant came to bat in the 20th over and faced just two deliveries, getting out for a duck. LSG finished with 159 runs — a total that felt underwhelming after such a good start.

Whether it was due to injury, tactics, or current form, Pant’s decision to delay his batting entry has once again drawn criticism, especially as LSG’s middle order failed to deliver when it mattered most.